The image of the Black Nazarene is now on display on the balcony of Quiapo church in Manila.
Monsignor Hernando “Ding” Coronel said the pilgrim image will be on display to give devotees more time to venerate it.
The image of the Nazarene was placed on the balcony of the church weeks before the actual “feast” on January 9.
The “pagpupugay (homage)” replaced the traditional “pahalik (kissing of the image)” due to the prevailing health restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The “pahalik” is usually held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila a day before the feast.
Aside from the “pahalik,” the traditional procession of the Black Nazarene around the city was also cancelled.
The thanksgiving procession, dubbed “traslacion,” on the last day of the year is held annually ahead of the big religious procession every Jan. 9.
“Traslacion,” which means transfer, is often referred to as the Feast of the Black Nazarene. It emulates the “solemn transfer” of the image from its original shrine in the old Manila to the Minor Basilica in Quiapo in 1787.
The Black Nazarene is a life-size image of a dark-skinned, kneeling Jesus Christ carrying the cross.
Every year, on Jan. 9, millions of devotees join a procession to re-enact the 1787 transfer.
The annual religious event is the largest procession in the country, drawing millions of devotees thronging to touch the icon and lasting 20 hours at the most.
