Black Nazarene Fiesta

The feast of the Most Holy Black Nazarene is celebrated on January 9th while novena masses begin on the first day of the year.The Black Nazarene is a life-sized, dark-colored, wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ held to be miraculous by many people, especially its Filipino devotees. Its original carver is an anonymous Aztec carpenter, and the image was transported by galleon from Mexico. The image is currently enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines where novena celebrations are held every Friday throughout the whole year. A Callejeron or procession of the Nazarene that was airlifted to Cagayan de Oro City was also held for the sake of Nazarene devotees in Mindanao, yesterday.Roman Catholic tradition holds that the Black Nazarene came from a boat that caught fire, turning it from its original white into black or charred complexion. The Black Nazarene is carried into the streets for procession in a "Caroza" or carriage.