Pages

05 Juli 2011

Quiapo Church - The Sacred Home of The Black Nazarene

  • i
Experience the thrill of urban life in the capital of Philippines, Manila, one of the sixteen cities that combine to create Metropolitan Manila. It lies along the shores of Manila Bay and is populated by more than 14 million people, making it one of the most populated cities in the country. The variety of entertainment that the city offers makes it the perfect destination whether you want to indulge in a delightful meal or a sensational taste of classical music.

When walking through the various attractions of Manila, one cannot miss the famous Black Nazarene, a large wooden statue of Christ which is said to have miraculous powers. This statue stands in Quiapo Church, a Roman Catholic Church located in the Quiapo district of Manila, which is one of the most popular churches in the country. The church was remodeled during 1984, with contemporary motifs and modern design which enabled higher capacity. The beauty of the strong, columnless structure of the church attracts an abundance of tourists and local residents daily. It was declared the ‘Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene’ (The Church of the Black Nazarene) in 1988. It is indeed an honour to be able to visit this sacred spot and view its extraordinary miracle. Apart from this, visitors would find it delightful as they are able to conveniently access the vibrant array of shopping malls close to the church such as the Plaza Miranda which is crowded daily.

The statue of Christ bearing the crucifix was carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in 1767. The black coloured image of Christ is described as life sized in a semi- kneeling position to represent His struggle to stand, as His expression portrays a call for help to carry the heavy cross. It is said that one who stares at this statue for a moment, will be overwhelmed by the suffering He was going through. Every Friday, thousands of devotees attend a weekly novena held by the church where the devotees move forward on their knees towards this crucifix. It is indeed a place where you can feel an ambience of utmost piety and inspiration flow through your soul.

An ideal choice of stay would be Serviced Apartments Manila, where you could have easy access to the commercial district and shopping malls including a variety of restaurants to choose from. Moreover, Somerset Salcedo Makati would prove to be the perfect choice due to its convenient location as well as being an ideal long stay apartment Manila.