Sukkot Festival: “Hoshana Rabbah – The Great Salvation” Conference in Jerusalem
On October 11 and 13, 2025, a two-day conference dedicated to the Feast of Sukkot and the special day of Hoshana Rabbah, meaning “The Great Salvation,” took place in Jerusalem. The event was organized by the Messianic congregation “King of Great Glory,” which has been hosting such conferences for 20 years, broadcasting them live to believers around the world. This year’s celebration held particular significance – it coincided with the return of hostages and the end of military operations in the Gaza Strip, filling those gathered with double joy and gratitude to God!
Pastor Oren Lev Ari opened the conference by welcoming and introducing guests – ministers from various cities across Israel and abroad. Among the distinguished guests were pastors from Latvia and Ukraine, Jerusalem, Ashkelon, and other locations. A youth worship team created a joyful spiritual atmosphere, setting the tone for the entire event. Pastor Oren emphasized the importance of unity among believers, noting that four congregations in Israel – Ashkelon, Ashdod, Petah Tikva, and Jerusalem – are now walking together, also uniting brothers and sisters from Latvia, Germany, France, Finland, and Sweden.
On the first day of the conference, Pastor Aldris Zalkovskis from Latvia opened the service, sharing profound teaching about the Jewish wedding and its prophetic significance. He detailed the seven essential symbols of a Jewish wedding: the groom’s proposal, the bride price (50 pieces of silver), the cup of the covenant, the groom’s departure to prepare a place, the catching away of the bride, the bridal chamber, and the honeymoon. The fall feasts prophetically point to the second coming of the Lord Yeshua, and the Feast of Sukkot symbolizes the honeymoon – seven days that the Messiah will spend with His bride. Pastor Aldris emphasized that the greatest calling of believers is to be the Bride of Christ, prepared to meet the Bridegroom!
Pastor Oren also recalled the temple events when, on the last great day of the Feast of Sukkot, water from Siloam was poured on the altar, and all Jerusalem rejoiced with the greatest joy. It was at this very moment that Yeshua stood and proclaimed: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” This marked the beginning of a new era when God promised to dwell in people and walk among them. The pastor called everyone to come to the altar of Yeshua the Messiah, where the outpouring of blood and water occurred, so that rivers of living water and a new heart might spring forth within them.
A beautiful moment on the first day was the musical ministry of Sergei Popov, a musician from Finland, who performed the “Prayer of Moses” on a violin crafted in 1776. The unique performance of this exquisite music included imitations of nature’s sounds – birdsong, the sound of water – reminding everyone that all living things must praise the Creator. He shared how all migratory birds traveling from Europe to Africa pass through Israel, creating an amazing symphony of praise. His performance deeply touched the hearts of those present and served as a powerful testimony to how art can glorify God!
The second day of the conference began with greetings from Pastor Oren Lev Ari, who introduced the ministers who had arrived for the celebration. It was a special day – not only the feast of Hoshana Rabbah, but also Pastor Oren’s birthday, which was warmly celebrated by all present.
Pastor Roman Samoilovich shared profound teaching about the prophetic significance of biblical feasts. He reminded everyone that the feasts existed even before Moses, and for 1,400 years they were fulfilled prophetically throughout history. Each feast – from Passover to Pentecost – found its fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah. Special attention was given to the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when the people were in repentance while Moses interceded on the mountain for 40 days. Pastor Roman emphasized that believers in Yeshua have a great privilege: they have a High Priest, they have a sacrifice, and they have complete atonement that has cleansed them from within.
Rabbi Boris Grisenko from Kyiv shared a stunning testimony about the power of joy and celebration even during trials. He recounted how on the third day of the war in Ukraine, when all of Kyiv was shut down, their congregation gathered for worship. Despite rocket attacks, stress, and fear, they made a decision to rejoice according to Psalm 126: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter.” This service was broadcast live and became the only worship broadcast during the first days of the war. Facebook and YouTube spread the recording worldwide, and from every corner of the earth – China, Canada, Latin America, Australia – people wrote the same message: “If the Jews are rejoicing in Kyiv, then no one will take Kyiv.” This prophetic word through joy and celebration proved stronger than all military forecasts!
Rabbi Grisenko explained a spiritual principle: “We can break the verdicts of so-called fate, we can break the works of demons and the devil, we can tear apart curses and spells that they tried to place on us, if we accept God’s commandment: ‘Rejoice and be glad before My face.'” He called believers not only to accept deliverance mentally, but to allow God’s joy to manifest outwardly – through laughter, singing, dancing, and praise. It is precisely such joy that can shatter darkness and open the way for God’s miracles.
The conference addressed the topic of tithes and offerings – the ministers reminded everyone of the words from the book of Malachi that God opens the windows of heaven over those who faithfully bring their tithes. Pastor Oleg Vilinsky emphasized that financial ministry is not merely a religious obligation, but an act of faith – that is, trust in God! Many present testified about how obedience in this area led to miracles in their lives – the appearance of cars, the purchase of apartments, and other financial breakthroughs.
The testimony time became a powerful confirmation of God’s power: people came to the stage who had received healing at the congregation’s services through Pastor Oren’s prayers: from depression following a spouse’s death, from liver inflammation, from fears and a spirit of rejection, from blood cancer. One sister testified about healing from cancer in 2011 during her first trip to Jerusalem. Others shared about healing of vocal cords, breathing problems, skin diseases, and back pain. More than 18 people that evening alone raised their hands, testifying about physical and emotional healings received during the service.
The climax of the second day was the salvation of souls – several people responded to Pastor Oren’s call to be reconciled with God and receive Yeshua into their hearts, which was truly a great joy! Then the ministers prayed for the outpouring of rivers of living water, for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for healing and restoration of relationships; many prayed in tongues, receiving renewal and strength from God.
The conference concluded with wonderful worship and prophetic declarations about destroying the works of the devil and expanding God’s Kingdom in the land of Israel! The ministers prayed over Israel’s cities, over Jerusalem’s streets, and for God’s power to be poured out upon all the people. Everyone departed with joy in their hearts, carrying with them the atmosphere of God’s presence; many received healing, restoration, some were renewed in faith, some received personal spiritual breakthroughs or answers to prayer. The feast of Hoshana Rabbah truly became a celebration of Great Salvation not only for the conference participants, but for all the people!
