Jan 9, 2026, 3:08 p.mJan 9, 2026, 3:08 p.m
At least 700,000 Catholics in the Philippines took part in a procession to pay homage to one of their greatest shrines – the Black Nazarene, a life-size statue of Jesus.
The crowds in Manila.Image: keystone
The believers, dressed in maroon red and yellow and mostly barefoot, accompanied the statue on its way through the capital Manila. Many faithful Filipinos are convinced that the 400-year-old figure can perform miracles. The procession traditionally takes place on January 9th.
Many believers tried to touch the cart carrying the statue with white cloths. According to the police, more than 400 people had to seek medical treatment.
According to legend, the wooden figure was brought from Mexico to Manila by Spanish missionaries in 1606 and survived a ship fire. Afterwards she was given the name Black Nazarene because of her dark discoloration.
The procession commemorates how the figure was brought to the church in the Quiapo district in the 18th century. After Brazil and Mexico, the Philippines is the third largest Catholic country in the world. (dab/sda/dpa)