Hundreds of people from across Leicester's community united in prayer, thought and silence to remember the five victims who died last week.
They filled the pews at St Peter's in Highfields to hear readings from the Bible and the Koran offering hope and consolation to family, relatives and friends.
The Bishop of Leicester the Right Rev Tim Stevens told people yesterday evening that the city had come together to remember Antoin Akpom, 20, and Shehnila Sattar, 47 and her three children, Zainab, 19, Bilal, 17, and Jamil Sattar, 15.
He said: "We have heard about Antoin, a young father, brother, son, nephew and coach, role model and friend to countless children across the city.
"We have heard of Shanila, a scholar, beloved wife and mother, having come to Leicester recently in order that her children Zainab, Bilal and Jamil might receive the religious education they held so precious."
He said: "The whole of our city of Leicester joins together with these families in sorrow at the tragic loss."
Councillor Manjula Sood MBE chair of Leicester Council of Faiths offered prayers for both families saying that the victims were now in heaven.
Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, joint chair of the national Muslim Christian Forum, said his son knew Antoin.
He added: "We are one community. One Leicester."
Antoin's uncle Ronny Akpom said the families were united in grief. He said: "There is an African saying. If you cannot hold a loved one in your arms, hold them in your heart.
Mayor of Leicester Sir Peter Soulsby said: "I have been struck by the dignity of both families. I would like to say to them, your pain is the city's pain."
Abdul Gheewala from Masjid Al Falah said of Dr Taufiq Sattar : "He could not be here. He asked me to represent him but I could not do that. He is a father who has lost his entire family. He is a man of strong faith."
The hour-long vigil was attended by faith and community leaders including MPs Keith Vaz and Jon Ashworth. The Chief Constable Simon Cole and other senior police officers were also in attendance.
At the end of the vigil hundreds of people came forward to light candles in memory of the victims as the hymn The Lord is My Shepherd was sung.
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