MANILA, Philippines — The carriage carrying the venerated image of the Black Nazarene started its journey to its home in Quiapo Church in Manila early Wednesday morning. Hundreds of thousands of Roman Photo by Angie de Silva/Rappler . The Black Nazarene or Hesus Nazareno is a full-sized statue of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ bearing the Cross. Filipino devotees join the annual Catholic procession of the Black Nazarene as police surround its carriage during its feast day in Manila, Philippines, January 9, 2020. Manila, Philippines - The religious ritual, Translacion, is the nearly 20-hour-long procession of the Black Nazarene statue, which is believed to grant miracles, through the streets of Manila. Thousands of Filipinos join Black Nazarene procession in Manila By Robin Gomes The popular feast of the Black Nazarene kicked off in the Philippine capital Manila on Wednesday, with tens of thousands joining a 7 km procession with the statue of a black Jesus of Nazareth carrying His cross. It is the image of a miraculous dark-skinned and kneeling Jesus Christ bearing the Cross, and is enshrined at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo District in the City of Manila. The image of the Black Nazarene or Hesus Nazareno is one of the most revered in the Philippines. Devotees at the blessing of replicas. The statue belongs to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the city of Manila. Twice a year, the city hosts the Feast of Black Nazarene that culminates with a solemn procession or tra