An estimated 5.5 million barefoot devotees joined the Black Nazarene procession or the “Traslacion” on Friday, January 9, 2015 and paraded with the century-old icon of Jesus Christ through Manila, ahead of Pope Francis visit to the country, considered as Asia’s bastion of Christianity.
The Filipino devotees showcased their fervent displya of devotion, chanting “Viva!” (Long Live!) and twirled white handkerchiefs at the Black Nazarene, whom some devotees considered as healer and miraculous.
The Philippine National Red Cross estimated the crowd at 5.5 million, crawled at a near-snail’s pace along Manila’s old quarter as devotees risked life and limb for the privilege of pulling the fat rope that moved the float forward.
According to the City officials of Manila and the Philippine Red Cross, a man died from heart attack and more than 600 others were treated for various injuries during the entire procession that last well into the night.
The statue of the Black Nazarene which was procession yesterday, was first brought to Manila by Augustinian priests from Mexico in 1607, decades after the archipelago was colonized by Spain.
The Nazarene state is believed to have acquired its colour after it was partially burnt when the galleon carrying it caught fire.