Thousands of Christians Arrive in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles

Jessilyn Justice : Oct 2, 2017
JNS.org

"There also is the added attraction of celebrating the 50-year jubilee of a reunited Jerusalem, and this means we are truly in for a banner Feast." -Dr. Jürgen Bühler

(Israel)—[JNS.org] More than 6,000 Christian pilgrims from some 100 countries are set to arrive in Jerusalem this week ahead of the 38th annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ). (Photo: The Feast of Tabernacles celebration in Jerusalem in 2015/Credit: ICEJ/via JNS.org)

The event, which runs this year from Oct. 6-11, is the "largest annual Christian gathering in Israel," David Parsons, vice president and senior spokesman for ICEJ, told JNS.org.

According to ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler, the event is expected to see its largest crowd ever this year, drawing Christians to the Holy Land for a "dynamic worship experience." 

"There also is the added attraction of celebrating the 50-year jubilee of a reunited Jerusalem, and this means we are truly in for a banner Feast," said Bühler.

The event commences Oct. 6 with an outdoor meal and concert at the Ein Gedi nature reserve near the Dead Sea. The Feast then moves to Jerusalem throughout the remainder of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, with most activities taking place in capital's Pais Arena. 

"For most of the pilgrims," Parsons said, "the biggest highlight is the march through the streets of Jerusalem," which sees thousands of evangelical Christians walk in solidarity with the Jewish state alongside Israelis.

The Feast concludes with a prayer ceremony hosted at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem's Old City. 

Reprinted with permission of JNS.org