Thousands of devotees of the image of the Black Nazarene trooped to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Jan. 7, 2023, during the “Pagpapugay,” or homage, in this year’s observance of the “feast of the Black Nazarene.”
Unlike in previous years, devotees were only allowed to wipe their towels and touch the feet of the image and the traditional kissing or “pahalik” of the image is prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 of the image from a chapel in the old Manila to a Church in the walled city.
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.
