Black Nazarene

About The Black Nazarene

What is the Black Nazarene?
The Black Nazarene refers to a life-sized, dark colored statue of Jesus Christ that was brought to the Philippines from Mexico by the first group of Augustinian Recollect friars sent by Spain. This statue was carved by an Aztec carpenter. Jesus is depicted genuflecting under the weight of the Cross that bore during his Passion.
The Black Nazarene arrived in Manila on May 31, 1606. The statue was initially brought to the first Recollect Church in what is now the Rizal Park. In 1608, it was transferred to a bigger church dedicated to San Nicolas de Tolentino in Intramuros. Then, it was transferred in 1787 by then Archbishop of Manila, Basilio Sancho de Santa Junta y Rufina, to the church in Quiapo—the name, the Black Nazarene of Quiapo. In Quiapo Church, the image survived the great fires that destroyed the Quiapo Church in 1791 and 1929. It also withstood the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863 and the destructive bombing of Manila in 1945 during World War II.
Why Black Nazarene
It is said that the image was charred black in a fire that broke out on the ship during its trip to Manila from Mexico. It arrived on May 31, 1606, in this form and has always been depicted as such.
How did the devotion develop?
The devotion to the Black Nazarene started when the image was in Intramuros. In 1608, the Recollect Fathers started promoting the devotion to the Suffering of our Lord. After fifteen years, the confraternity or Cofradia de Jesus Nazareno was established on April 21, 1621. The brotherhood got is papal blessing from His Holiness Pope Innocent X on April 20, 1650. In the 19th century, Pope Pius VII granted indulgence to those who prayed before the image of the Black Nazarene. The year 2007 marked the 400th year that the Black Nazarene came to the Philippines.