The mother of missing Madeleine McCann joined Claudia Lawrence’s father for a candlelit vigil.
Kate McCann walked side by side with the Miss Lawrence’s father Peter to the service attended by close to 100 well-wishers at York Minister.
Yesterday was the missing chef’s 37th birthday.
Mr Lawrence said the ceremony was an opportunity to remember all those affected by the “continuing tragedy” of a missing loved one.
The 64-year-old solicitor, who is a member of the York Minster congregation, thanked Ms McCann for her support.
He led a procession from the Mansion House, St Helen’s Square, to the West Doors of the Minster for a Vigil for the Missing at the high altar.
There the Archbishop of York presented each of the parents with a blue candle representing the Virgin Mary.
Mr Lawrence has searched tirelessly for his daughter since her disappearance on March 18 2009.
He said: “This continues to be a tragedy for all of us who care about and love Claudia.”
His friend Martin Dales, of Old Malton, North Yorkshire, said it was the first time Mrs McCann and Mr Lawrence had met.
He said: “She said the vigil was a very difficult event to deal with.
“She came into the patch not knowing anybody and we very much appreciated the effort she made.
“She said that even though their daughters were different ages and their circumstances different, she and Peter shared the same fear, pain and hope.
“She said it was nice to be able to support each other because unless you have been in that situation, it is very difficult to understand.” Archbishop of York The Most Reverend John Sentamu said the ceremony was to let people show their support for the families of Miss Lawrence, Madeleine McCann and others who had gone missing.
North Yorkshire Police said investigators were no closer to finding out what has happened to the York University chef.
Detectives involved in the murder inquiry have said that Miss Lawrence’s tangled love life, including affairs with married men, has been one of the biggest challenges.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said today: “The investigation into the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence is still continuing, although there have been no major developments.
“We would ask anyone with information to contact us.”
Mr Lawrence, of Slingsby, North Yorkshire, accused the government in January of failing to support the families of missing people.
He claimed the Ministry of Justice had been obstructing attempts to overhaul the law to provide more support for anyone who is having to deal with a missing person’s estate.