VICTIMS of the Manchester Arena attack were remembered during a poignant vigil at a city centre church.

Mourners gathered at St Martin’s, in Coney Street, to pay their respects to the 22 people who died when a suicide bomber detonated a device at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on Monday night.

The congregation was invited to light a candle for the victims, including Marcin and Angelika Klis, from York, who died in the blast as they waited to collect their daughters from the arena.

Reader Kingsley Boulton led prayers, as he did a little over two months ago when a similar service was held for those killed in the “lone wolf” attack in Westminster.

He said: “Two months ago we gathered here to pray for the victims of the attack in Westminster.

“We are here again to offer prayers for an even greater number of people caught up in the terror attack on the Manchester Arena on Monday evening.

“The suffering was terrible and heart-rending on both occasions, but the fact that this time so many young people were killed or injured makes it seem that much worse. The youngest victim was only eight-years-old.

“What leads people to commit such acts of violence and cruelty is doubtless beyond our comprehension. We cannot see into their minds.”

Mr Boulton said the terrorists responsible were not acting in the name of God and any announcements to that effect should be shunned.

“Any claims they may make that they are acting in the name of religion or of God must be strongly challenged,” he added.

“For at the heart of the major faiths lie peace, respect, concern for the well-being of others, whoever they may be.

“Yet there are positive things that so often come out of such dreadful tragedies.

“It was very moving seeing on television the vigil in front of the Town Hall in Manchester.

“There are people of all faiths and none, of all political affiliations, of all backgrounds, came together in solidarity with the victims.

“If such terror attacks bring out the worst in the perpetrators, they do time and time again also bring out the best in others.”

Anne Hall, who attended the vigil, said: “This is a great church for reconciliation whenever there is misfortune.

“The attacks were hideous and horrific.”

Another member of the congregation at the church explained: “The vigil in Manchester was extremely moving and because I couldn’t be there I wanted to come today.”