Philippines Manila: More than 700,000 believers celebrate Jesus statue
At least 700,000 Catholics in the Philippines have taken part in a procession to pay homage to one of their greatest shrines - the Black Nazarene, a life-size statue of Jesus.
09.01.2026, 15:32
SDA
The mostly barefoot faithful, dressed in maroon and yellow, accompanied the statue on its way through the capital Manila. Many devout Filipinos are convinced that the 400-year-old statue can perform miracles. The procession traditionally takes place on January 9.
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 statue was brought from Mexico to Manila by Spanish missionaries in 1606 and survived a ship fire. It was then given the name Black Nazarene because of its dark coloring.
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.
