MANILA (Reuters) – Hundreds of thousands of barefoot worshipers joined an annual procession in the Philippines of a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ on Thursday in one of the world's largest displays of Catholic devotion and expression of faith.
Filipinos turned the streets of Manila into a sea of burgundy and gold, crowding the “Black Nazarene,” a life-size image of Jesus Christ carrying a cross, as worshipers jostled for a chance to pull the thick rope pulling the carriage across the road. Philippine capital.
Parade organizers estimate that about 220,000 people attended the mass before the procession, while 94,500 participated in the march until 8 a.m. (0000 GMT). This number is expected to swell as it moves along its 5.8 km (3.6 mi) path.
Other worshipers threw white towels over the image while guards wiped it from its surface, believing that touching the statue would bless them and cure their illnesses.
Nearly 80% of Filipinos consider themselves Roman Catholic, a major legacy of Spanish colonialism in the Philippine archipelago for more than 300 years.
The late Filipino priest and theologian Sabino Fengco said in 2019 that the statue's revered black color was due to the mesquite wood used to construct the image, debunking an ancient myth that its black image was due to a fire that broke out in the ship that carried it to the world. Philippines from Mexico in the early 17th century.
The procession, called the Traslacion, or translation, commemorates the transfer of the Black Nazarene from a church within the ancient Spanish capital of Intramuros to its current location in the Quiapo Church.
Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, on Thursday called on devotees to turn away from evil, greed and vices and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Let us abide by his commandments, embrace his teachings and follow his example. It is better to follow the beloved Lord,” Advincula said in his sermon before the procession.
