Twenty years later, they prayed. They prayed for those lost, and on Friday night, they came together in Lower Manhattan for the first time in two decades.
"To come back and see everybody together is really something," said church member Michael Amalfito.
They lit candles to outshine the evil.
"You can really feel the energy," said Marianthi Georgakopoulos.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of American lit the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at what will be their new church sitting above Liberty Park, next to the memorial pools.
"20 years of mourning, of hope - waiting for the right moment to finish our church," said Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
The old church was at the bottom of the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, it was the only house of worship that was destroyed.
On the eve of September 11, the resurrection came with a new meaning.
"This sacrifice united everybody, all religions, and national backgrounds, and this is why we think our church will be a national church," said Archbishop Elpidophoros.
The doors for the church will officially open in early November, but for now, it is a place for anyone to find peace and connection.
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Throughout the ceremony, six moments of silence will be observed, acknowledging when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck and fell, and the times corresponding to the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93.
More Eyewitness News reflections, photos and stories marking the anniversary of 9/11
Night Before September 11th: WABC's late night newscast hours before the 2001 attacks in NYC
9/11/01 Timeline: How the terror attacks unfolded on September 11, 2001
From Ground Zero to New York's exodus: Eyewitness News coverage from September 11, 2001
WABC's 5 p.m. newscast on the day of the 2001 attacks in New York City
WABC's late night newscast on the night of the 2001 attacks in New York City
Former New York Gov. George Pataki reflects on 9/11 ahead of 20th anniversary
Nearly 300 names being added to Long Island memorial wall honoring 9/11 responders
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