Thousands of devotees scramble to get near Black Nazarene

Devotees pull the rope to move the carriage of the Black Nazarene image around Manila streets during the annual Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene. (INQUIRER.net/Faye Orellana)

Thousands of devotees tried to get close enough to the image of the Black Nazarene on Good Friday.

In this video, about 10,000 devotees were estimated by the Plaza Miranda Police Community Precinct to have joined the procession along Vergara Street alone.

The police earlier said that a total of 70,000 devotees joined the procession that started at 12 midnight and ended at 10:20 a.m.

Read more: Believers flock at Good Friday procession of Black Nazarene in Manila

The devotees struggled to touch the rope that pulls the Andas, the carriage that carries the image of the Black Nazarene.

The Hijos del Nazareno, the church officials, who manage the procession, removed the rope from the devotees’ hands to give other devotees a chance to touch it.

Others could also be seen climbing the carriage to touch the image of the Nazareno, believing it could fulfill their prayers.

The Black Nazarene leaves the Quiapo Church three times a year: During its Feast Day on January 9, on Good Friday, and during the thanksgiving procession every end of the year.