The Feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated each year on January 9 in the Philippines. It is among the nation’s largest religious festivals drawing as many as 18 million Catholic faithful to participate. A life size statue (The Black Nazarene) of Jesus Christ carrying His cross is carried through the streets of Manilla, from the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the Quiapo district, reenacting it’s transfer to the original Shrine inside Intramuros. The procession lasts over 20 hours, and is considered one of the world’s largest processions.
Photograph by Jake C. Salavador for AFP
