MANILA— More than a million devotees joined the annual Traslacion of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in reverence of a historic statue of Jesus Christ, which is believed to have miraculous powers.

Information from the Quiapo Church Command Post said a million people have gathered before the annual walk of faith started at 4:45 a.m.

PANOORIN: Umusad na ang andas ng Itim na Nazareno para sa pagsisimula ng prusisyon ng #Nazareno2024.

Napansin ng ilang deboto ang mabilis na andar nito palabas ng Quirino Grandstand, kumpara noong mga nakaraang taon. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/bvVfFAI6T8

— Karen De Guzman (@_KarenDeGuzman) January 8, 2024

TINGNAN: Umabot ng mahigit isang milyong deboto ang lumahok sa traslacion sa Quirino Grandstand papunta sa Quiapo Church, na nagsimula bago mag-alas-5 ng umaga nitong Martes, ayon sa Quiapo Church Command Post. #Nazareno2024 @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/stFhpuZxgY

— Karen De Guzman (@_KarenDeGuzman) January 8, 2024

The route of the procession will be the same as the route used in 2020.

The Black Nazarene's image has been enclosed in a tempered glass cage, which is being pulled by devotees using a thick rope.

PANOORIN: Umusad na ang andas ng Itim na Nazareno para sa pagsisimula ng prusisyon ng #Nazareno2024.

Napansin ng ilang deboto ang mabilis na andar nito palabas ng Quirino Grandstand, kumpara noong mga nakaraang taon. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/bvVfFAI6T8

— Karen De Guzman (@_KarenDeGuzman) January 8, 2024

Some devotees observed the andas or the wheeled carriage is moving at a faster pace compared to previous years because the public is now barred from climbing the andas itself.

"May mga alagad po tayo na nakabantay sa bawat gilid ng andas so hindi po talaga nila maaakyat. May nga hijos din po tayo sa palibot ng andas para po pigilan na ‘yung mga magsusubok na umakyat," according to Alex Irasga, Nazareno technical adviser.

"Ito pong ating kapistahan ngayon, tatlo ang ating isinasagawa— misyon, traslasyon, at debosyon. Ipakita muna natin ang Señor, bukod tanging nag-iisa sa andas para mas marami hong makakita sa kanya," Irasga added.

The Manila City government expect more devotees to participate as the andas heads towards Quiapo Church.

Ilang mga deboto ang nagpalipas na ng gabi ss Quiapo Church sa Maynila. Marami sa kanila ang buong araw na maghihintay sa simbahan hanggang sa makabalik dito ang andas sakay ang Poong Nazareno. #Nazareno2024 pic.twitter.com/Z3LzfEL5pg

— Lyza Aquino (@LyzaAquinoDZMM) January 8, 2024

“We’re expecting almost the same people who will be gathering here to Manila. Most probably kasi talagang nananabik po ang ating mga kababayan lalong lalo na ang mga deboto natin,” Mayor Honey Lacuna said.

“Panawagan na maging banal, ligtas, at maayos ang ating pagdiriwang ng Nazareno 2024. Sana po magkaroon ng katuparan po hanggang bukas,” Mayor Lacuna added.

Despite the risk of joining the procession, devotee Marwin De Guzman and his group are still willing to share the sacrifice of the Black Nazarene.

“Kung ano ‘yung binigay sa’yo, sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong mo sa prusisyon at pagsisilbi sa simbahan, naibabalik mo rin sa kanya at pag-attend sa misa, ‘yun ang importante,

The Manila Police District deployed around 6,000 policemen from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

“Unang gagawin dyan, i-clear muna ‘yung dadaanan ng Nazareno para kung sakaling merong obstruction, paluluwagin natin. Saka nagkaroon tayo ng road closures so walang basta makakapasok na sasakyan sa daraanan ng Nazareno,” according to Manila Police District Director PCol. Arnold Thomas Ibay.

Authorities remind the public to adhere to the guidelines set to keep the safety and orderliness of Traslacion 2024.

One of the biggest displays of Catholic devotion in the Philippines, the traslacion was canceled for two years in a row due to Covid-19.

Many Filipinos believe touching or getting close to the Black Nazarene statue can lead to the healing of otherwise incurable ailments and other good fortune.

The original wooden statue was brought to the Philippines in the early 1600s when the nation was a Spanish colony.

Many Filipinos believe it got its dark color after surviving a fire aboard a ship en route from Mexico. With Agence France Presse