Catholic devotees flocked to the streets of, not just Manila, but also in the different provinces around the Philippines to participate in their own Traslacion, celebrating the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

The annual feast, held every January 9, is held in veneration of what is also known as the Black Nazarene, whose image is believed to be miraculous. [FROM OUR ARCHIVES: Things to know about the Feast of the Black Nazarene]

Cagayan de Oro City, Bacolod City, Alfonso and Magallanes in Cavite, and Laak in Davao de Oro are among the cities and towns which held their own celebrations to honor the suffering Christ.

The Diocese of Bacolod, in particular, marked the feast for the first time, after the Quiapo Church gifted it a replica of the image of the Nazarene. The replica is now enshrined at the Queen of Peace Parish, Redemptorist, in Bacolod City.

For Rappler Communities user Lance Dolor, a Nazareno devotee from Manila who was in Bacolod City for vacation during feast day, bringing the image of the Nazarene to the provinces “makes the Poon closer to the communities and to make the devotion to him more known.”

“I can also feel the enthusiastic reception from the community that there is finally an official replica in the Diocese of Bacolod, especially from senior citizens who can’t physically come to Quiapo,” he added.  

Here are some scenes from this year’s Feast of Jesus Nazareno outside the country’s capital, shared by members of the faith chat room of the Rappler Communities app.

– Rappler.com