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  Photos   Photos   Life   10 Jan 2018  Crowds throng iconic Christ statue as part of biggest religious celebration in Philippines

Crowds throng iconic Christ statue as part of biggest religious celebration in Philippines

AP / AFP

Published : Jan 10, 2018, 1:51 pm IST
Updated : Jul 6, 2019, 3:32 pm IST
The Black Nazarene was brought to Manila by missionaries in 1606 and is believed to have survived disasters and calamities (Photo: AFP)
The Black Nazarene was brought to Manila by missionaries in 1606 and is believed to have survived disasters and calamities (Photo: AFP)
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City officials say about 500 people get injured in the procession each year as pilgrims risk life and limb to touch the icon with towels, believing its miraculous powers will be transferred to the cloth (Photo: AFP)
City officials say about 500 people get injured in the procession each year as pilgrims risk life and limb to touch the icon with towels, believing its miraculous powers will be transferred to the cloth (Photo: AFP)
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In a frenzied display of religious fervour, men, women and children climbed over heads and shoulders and flung themselves at the centuries-old Black Nazarene that they say performs miracles (Photo: AP)
In a frenzied display of religious fervour, men, women and children climbed over heads and shoulders and flung themselves at the centuries-old Black Nazarene that they say performs miracles (Photo: AP)
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The risky behaviour has drawn frequent criticism in the Philippines, with some saying it resembles pagan worship (Photo: AP)
The risky behaviour has drawn frequent criticism in the Philippines, with some saying it resembles pagan worship (Photo: AP)
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The Philippines is Asia's Catholic bastion with a flock of more than 80 million. Spain colonised the archipelago nation in the 16th century and spread the faith (Photo: AP)
The Philippines is Asia's Catholic bastion with a flock of more than 80 million. Spain colonised the archipelago nation in the 16th century and spread the faith (Photo: AP)
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Drawn by devotees pulling on thick ropes attached to its carriage, the icon left a central Manila park with 490,000 people in tow waving white towels and chanting "Viva" ("Long live") (Photo: AFP)
Drawn by devotees pulling on thick ropes attached to its carriage, the icon left a central Manila park with 490,000 people in tow waving white towels and chanting "Viva" ("Long live") (Photo: AFP)
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A sea of heaving, towel-waving humanity swarmed a black statue of a cross-bearing Jesus Christ in the Philippine capital Tuesday (Jan 9) as the Catholic faithful joined one of the nation's largest religious festivals (Photo: AFP)
A sea of heaving, towel-waving humanity swarmed a black statue of a cross-bearing Jesus Christ in the Philippine capital Tuesday (Jan 9) as the Catholic faithful joined one of the nation's largest religious festivals (Photo: AFP)
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Tags: Culture and Heritage, Catholic community, Philippine