LOOK: Black Nazarene devotees gather around Quiapo Church

MANILA, Philippines — Black Nazarene devotees gathered around Quiapo Church on Tuesday as the Traslacion started its return journey to the famous shrine in Manila.

The believers were awaiting the arrival of the holy image to Quiapo Church amid prayers.

According to the Quiapo Church Command Post, approximately 11,500 people have assembled along streets around Quiapo as of 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, with the church itself reaching its maximum capacity. The crowd filled Plaza Miranda as they spread from the church. Large monitors were set up outside for the live-streaming events inside the religious building.

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A Fiesta Mass was held at 7:00 a.m. at Quiapo Church. Fiesta Masses were expected to be held from 3 p.m. on Monday until 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

Both sides of Quezon Avenue were also teeming with devotees. Their number continued to swell despite rain showers as hours went by.

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READ: Over 2 million expected to join the Nazarene procession

Quiapo Church officials said Monday anticipated a fast-paced Traslacion this year. The religious procession started at 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday, and as of 8:19 a.m., the “andas” or carriage of the Black Nazarene reached Carlos Palanca St.

Authorities said at least 830,000 believers participated in the procession as of 7:44 a.m.

Cell phone signals were temporarily shut down in parts of Manila as part of security measures for the Feast of Black Nazarene, a government official said. Around 15,000 police officers have been deployed since the start of pre-traslacion activities in recent days.

Last year, a smaller-scale procession “Walk of Faith” – in place of traslacion – saw a turnout of more than 90,000 devotees, who marched from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church without the religious image, banners, and other accompaniments.