Devotees gather at Quiapo Church to await Black Nazarene

Devotees gather early at the Quiapo Church in Manila to await the arrival of the Black Nazarene, which according to Catholic Church tradition, celebrates its feast day on January 9. Inset photo shows a bigger crowd Wednesday morning. NOY MORCOSO and MATIKAS SANTOS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Devotees of the Black Nazarene began to gather at the Quiapo Church where its image will come home from its procession around Manila Wednesday.

Plaza Miranda, in front of the Quiapo Church, is continuously being filled by people, young and old, to attend mass.

Street vendors selling all forms of religious items have set up shop along the roads leading to the church.

Police have set up their advance command post at the top of one of the buildings in Plaza Miranda.

Quezon Boulevard going towards Manila city hall has been closed to traffic while the other side going to Espana remained open.