Do you know the "Black Jesus" of the Philippines?

Jesus became "Black Jesus" when he arrived in the Philippines"

Black Jesus Day (Black Nazarene), also known as Black-faced Nazareth Jesus Day, is the most important religious festival in Manila, Philippines. Every year on January 9th, millions of people participate in the Black Jesus from the Quirino Grandstand to the Cuiapo Church Parade, life-sized Jesus, wearing a purple robe, carrying a big cross, and unusually dark complexion.

In our opinion, the Philippines is fascinated by it. How can Jesus be black?

According to church documents, on May 31, 1606, a Spanish fleet set off from Mexico and traveled across the oceans to the Philippines. One of the priests brought a statue of Jesus carved in ivory onto the ship. Unexpectedly, the ship caught fire on the way, and the fire destroyed everything on the ship, but the idol was intact, only black by fireworks. After arriving in the Philippines, missionaries and believers thought it was amazing. They believed that Jesus appeared to bless the idol, so the craftsmen simply painted the idol black and enshrined it in the church, so it was called "Black Jesus". It has a history of more than 400 years. This black Jesus is life-sized, wearing thorns on his head, wearing a purple robe, carrying a large cross on his right shoulder, and showing a painful expression. In the 19th century, Pope VII ordered to forgive and bless all believers who repented to Black Jesus.

The statue is now enshrined in the Siapo Church in Manila. The locals think that the Black Jesus is very effective. There are all kinds of magical legends, which the locals believe very much. Every year on January 9th, believers will be carried out from the church from the Black Jesus and hold a grand swift tour. At 6: 00 a.m. on the 9th, believers carried black jesus to gather for mass in Rizal Park in Manila, followed by an 8-kilometer parade on the streets and alleys of Manila.

Most Filipinos believe that touching the black statue of Jesus can not only cure diseases, but also bring good luck. In 2016, millions of people took part in the parade every year, which shows the madness of the people.