Each Jan. 9th the float is paraded through Manila for a couple of miles while an estimated 3.5 million devotees join the procession, wildly waving banners representing various Black Nazarene groups from all over the country.
It took 22 hours to complete the 2 to 3 mile route as all along the way people lunged and desperately grabbed at the float, attempting to touch any part of the cross or the body. Some tossed a white towel up to those riding on the float, and the towel was wiped on the statue and flung back to the owner. "My towel touched the cross, and then I wiped this holy towel all over my body. This year I will have no sickness!" said one devotee. The really devoted person wears no shoes in the procession, believing that by suffering to follow the procession and touch the Black Nazarene, sins of the past year will be forgiven.
Hundreds of extra police were needed as people trampled one another trying to reach the statue. Over 1,000 were injured that day.
Pray that true followers of Jesus would be a Light to dispel this darkness.
Pray that our Grace Brethren Churches would be strong to teach against this false belief.