Page 21 - Holyland Magazine - 2025 Edition
P. 21

“We will never forget all your efforts and       us—like it happened to you… It felt like we       ways. It will forever be the Feast marked
humanitarian aid over the past year—the State    were one.”                                        by the yellow ribbon of remembrance and
of Israel sees you as true friends and allies.”  A Special Jerusalem March                         an intimate time of worship in the Spirit,
“Roll Call of the Nations”                       The traditional Jerusalem March that occurs       fellowship with the saints, and friendship
One Feast tradition, the “Roll Call of the       every year during the Feast was initially         with the still-recovering people of Israel.
Nations” was combined this year with its         cancelled due to war restrictions. However,       This Year in Jerusalem!
traditional Israeli Guest Night and was held     the city of Jerusalem invited ICEJ pilgrims to    The war will end—hopefully soon. But
at the Tower of David in Jerusalem. The          march around Sacher Park and engage with          the trauma that the entire nation of Israel
ancient stone outdoor amphitheater was           the thousands of Israelis gathered there          experienced over the last year-and-a-half
packed with over 700 Jews and Christians,        for the usual Sukkot holiday activities. As       won’t, and recovery will take time. Like last
the majestic walls of the Old City serving as a  hundreds of pilgrims circled the packed park      year’s Feast pilgrims, you, too, can step into
stunning backdrop for the flag procession that   waving their nation’s flags, curious Israelis     God’s prophetic story unfolding before
represented the more than 50 nations present.    drew close. Many Israelis shouted from the        our very eyes! Plan to attend the Feast of
Among powerful messages was one from             sidelines, “Thank you for coming!” Others         Tabernacles 2025. Learn more at: www.
President Isaac Herzog, who extended a           cried. Some participants stepped out of the       icejusa.org/feast-tour.
warm holiday welcome to the Christian            march to hug onlookers and tell them, “You        Just as there is a mystery to why many are
visitors and expressed his deepest gratitude     are not alone. Christians around the world        obsessed with hatred toward the Jewish
for their unwavering support of Israel at        are supporting you and praying for you.”          people, there is also a mystery to the love we
its darkest hour. His words point to the                                                           have for you as Christians. We see the deep
changing tide of Jewish-Christian relations.     But one Christian stood out—Farnoosh              wounds the Jewish people have suffered
The evening was marked by a palpable spirit      Mazarei, a native of Iran who lives in America.   down through the ages, often in the name of
of intimacy, unity, and grace, which the         Several Israelis who saw her carrying the         Jesus, and we see what was inflicted on you
Israeli guests readily received after a year     former Iranian republic’s flag ran to meet        so wrongly on October 7. It draws forth from
and a half of isolation and loss. One Israeli    her: “I pray that my coming here by faith was     within us a profound love that compels us to
attendee said,“It filled my heart with joy that  pleasing to God and that our prayers will         stand by your side. Isaiah, your own prophet,
you understand what happened with Israel.        start a revival in Iran.”                         assured you [in Isaiah 49:22–23] that you can
It’s as if you’ve experienced everything with    Final Days                                        trust this love. — David Parsons, ICEJ Senior VP
                                                 Though the Feast was smaller than in previous
                                                 years, its impact was more significant in many    ✦and Spokesman

Embassy                                          Jerusalem                                         staff

                                                 Lining up for the Jerusalem March in Sacher Park  The Jerusalem March begins

                                                                                                                               HOLY LAND l 21
   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26