Early Black Nazarene procession draws 2 million Catholics

Devotees try to climb the carriage of the Black Nazarene during a raucous procession to celebrate its feast day on Thursday in Manila. (AP)

MANILA, Philippines — More than two million devotees have joined this year’s Traslación of the Black Nazarene so far, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said Thursday.

As of 8:52 a.m., the MDRRMO said devotees joining the procession reached 2,371,000.

Meanwhile, an estimated crowd of 100,000 devotees wait at the Quiapo Church for the arrival of the Black Nazarene’s image.

The carriage of the Black Nazarene left the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church past 4 a.m.

More than six million devotees are expected to participate in the religious procession.