The Quiapo Church reminded anew on Saturday to refrain from calling Jesus Nazareno “Black Nazarene.”

Nazareno 2025 Spokeperson Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano said using the title “Black Nazarene” is not historically founded.

“Ipinapaalala po natin sa lahat ng mga deboto at mananampalataya na tinatawag natin ang ating mahal na Señor na Hesus Nazareno instead na Itim na Nazareno or Black Nazarene (We remind our devotees and faitfuls to call our Señor as Jesus Nazareno instead of Black Nazarene),” Arellano told DAILY TRIBUNE.

The Quiapo Church will also be called as Basilika Menor at Pambansang Dambana ni Jesus Nazareno or Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.

“Hindi natin matiyak sa kasaysayan kung saan nagmula, paano nagmula ang titulong ito (We cannot be sure from history how or where this title originated),” he Arellano explained.

“Pero kapag ginagamit natin ang pangalang Hesus compared sa itim, tayo ay nakatutok at nakasentro sa ating tagapagligtas (But if we’re using the name Jesus instead of black, we’re focusing and centering on our savior),” he futhered.

The Feast of the Jesus Nazareno is celebrated annually every 9 January and millions of devotees take part in religious procession or “Traslacion.”

The image of Jesus Nazareno was brought to the Church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan, now Luneta, until 31 May 1606, by Augustinian Recollect priests.

In 1608, the icon was enshrined at the Recollect church of San Nicolás de Tolentino in Intramuros, Manila and was moved to the Saint John the Baptist Church, which is now commonly referred to as the Quiapo Church on 9 January 1787.

The "solemn transfer" eventually became the date of the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno.