Multitude offers faith meaning

As millions of devotees attend the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno every January, hoping their prayers and wishes reach the image, the Traslacion procession often takes significantly longer than ordinary parades.

For this year’s Traslacion, themed “He Must Increase, and I Too Shall Decrease (John 3:30),” the National Capital Region Police Office targeted a 10 to 12-hour procession.

In 2025, the procession lasted about 20 hours, while the 2021 to 2023 Traslacion were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The shortest Traslacion on record was held in 2024, lasting 14 hours and 59 minutes.

The longest procession occurred in 2012, stretching more than 22 hours and 14 minutes, after the carriage lost its wheels and a rope snapped, causing the image to fall three times.

Aside from logistical challenges, authorities note that the sheer number of devotees and heightened emotions along the route significantly extend the procession’s duration, even when the route itself remains manageable.

Devotees dive deep for faith

The highest number of devotees was recorded in 2014, when an estimated 10 million people joined the Traslacion.

In 2025, around 8.1 million devotees attended the celebration, while 2016 and 2017 registered the lowest turnout with about 1.5 million participants each year.