Churches nationwide turned red on Wednesday, 27 November, in solidarity with persecuted Christians.

Organized by charity group Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), "Red Wednesday" has been observed in many countries since 2016 as a display of recognition to Christians persecuted for their faith.

In the Philippines, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) institutionalized the campaign in 2020 as an annual Church event following the Solemnity of Christ the King.

According to ACN, the "Red Wednesday" event is a whole-day simultaneous celebration of the Philippine Church.

"Together, one in suffering and consolation, let's stand up for faith and freedom," ACN said.

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan served as the main venue for the simultaneous observance.

According to CBCP, the color red symbolizes the blood of Christian martyrs and highlights the ongoing persecution faced by many Christians around the world for their faith.

ACN biennial report published in October indicated that Christian persecution "has worsened significantly in the past two years."

The report covers 18 countries of particular concern and documents increased oppression in countries such as China, India, and Nigeria -- Africa's most populous country.

For the first time in its 18-year history, the report included Nicaragua, citing extreme measures targeting Christians, including the mass detention and expulsion of clergy.