MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Thousands of devotees have flocked to Quiapo Church waiting for the arrival of the image of the Black Nazarene.

Police said that as early as 4 a.m. Friday, thousands have lined up outside the church gates, crowding the side streets and occupying the entire stretch of Quezon Boulevard.

“Okay lang hindi makapasok basta marinig naming ang misa [It’s okay even if we don’t get inside the church, as long as we hear the mass],” a devotee said.

An estimated 7,000 devotees have been attending the hourly masses, said Superintendent Roberto Rosales, Manila Police District chief.

Another 20,000 are expected when the image of the Black Nazarene arrives between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., said Rosales, adding that this crowd estimate is just in and outside the church. Millions more are expected to crowd the side streets, he said.

Officials of Quiapo Church have asked devotees to line up in entering and leaving the church.

At the same time, communion lines have also been set up, with queues reaching as far back as Evangelista St.

Despite appeals by authorities, several devotees still brought their children.

Senior Inspector Johnny Gaspar, area commander of Plaza Miranda, said they have yet to report any untoward incident in the vicinity of the church.

Gaspar said that as much as 200 police from MPD's station 3 were deployed in the area, including k-9 units from the National Capital Region Police Office.

Police are tightening security particularly at Plaza Lacson, where devotees are expected to snatch the rope and leave it at Palanca St. where the image used to pass.

Rosales said a total of 800 policemen and 1,500 civilian volunteers were deployed to provide security to devotees.

The message of the mass centered on suffering and hope. Church goers were called remain hopeful and pray despite the global financial crisis.

Surveillance cameras attached to hot air balloons floated around the vicinity of the church.