‘Black’ Nazarene exists no more
Devotees begin early with the ritual of wiping a handkerchief on a replica of the Jesus Nazareno outside the Minor Basilica of Quiapo. This act of veneration marks their preparation for the upcoming religious festivity on 9 January, which is expected to draw millions of believers to honor the revered icon.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN CARLO MAGALLON FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE
Beginning this year, the venerated icon in the Quiapo Church will be called “Jesus Nazareno” instead of the “Black Nazarene.”
Nazareno 2025 spokesperson Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano said the title “Black Nazarene” was not founded on history. The traditional name of the image also evoked a racial slur to many devotees.
“We remind our faithful to call our Señor Jesus Nazareno instead of Black Nazarene,” Arellano told DAILY TRIBUNE.
The Quiapo Church will be called the Basilika Menor at Pambansang Dambana ni Jesus Nazareno, or the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.
“We cannot be sure from history how or where this title originated,” Arellano explained.
“But if we’re using the name Jesus instead of ‘Black,’ we’re focusing and centering on our savior,” he said.
The Feast of Jesus Nazareno is celebrated annually on 9 January with millions of devotees taking part in a religious procession or “Traslacion.”
The image of Jesus Nazareno was brought to the Church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan, now the Luneta, on 31 May 1606 by Augustinian Recollect priests.
In 1608, the icon was enshrined in the Recollect Church of San Nicolás de Tolentino in Intramuros, Manila and was moved to the Saint John the Baptist Church, now commonly referred to as the Quiapo Church, on 9 January 1787.
The “solemn transfer” eventually became the date of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Clearing operation begins
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Special Operations Group began clearing operations in the areas the “Traslacion” will traverse on 9 January.
The SOG personnel began clearing around Honorio Lopez Boulevard/Northbay Boulevard and Carlos Palanca Boulevard, apprehending 104 individuals for obstruction and towing 18 illegally parked vehicles.
Earlier, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it had deployed more than 14,000 personnel in preparation for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.
The NCRPO said it deployed 12,168 personnel for area and route security and received an additional 2,306 personnel from partner agencies, bringing the total to 14,474 personnel.
Every year, millions of devotees flock to Quiapo Church to honor the Jesus Nazareno in hopes of having their prayers answered and receiving miracles.