Every year, millions of devotees gather in the heart of Manila, Quiapo, to celebrate the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, where the Traslacion—an iconic procession—continues to captivate and inspire as a longstanding tradition.

The Traslacion is just one of the highlights of the feast, featuring the centuries-old image of Jesus Christ as it makes its procession from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Manila.

With its deep history and immense significance, this image has become a powerful symbol of faith, hope, and unwavering devotion for countless Filipinos.

But what makes Jesus Nazareno so special? Here are some fascinating facts about this sacred icon that continue to inspire devotion across generations.

• The image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno arrived in the Philippines in 1606 from Mexico and was first enshrined at the Recoletos Church in Bagumbayan (Luneta), with St. John the Baptist as its patron saint.
• The image was transferred to San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Intramuros in 1608.
• Created by a Mexican sculptor, the image of Jesus Nazareno shows Christ upright but kneeling on one knee, bearing a massive wooden cross.
• It is believed that the image became darker and sustained damage after the galleon carrying it caught fire.
• In 1650, Pope Innocent X granted authorization for the Confraternity of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth. Shortly after, a second replica of the Nazareno was commissioned to meet the growing number of devotees.
• Between the years 1767 to 1787, Archbishop Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa y Rufina ordered the transfer of the image to Quiapo Church.
• In 1780, Pope Pius VII granted the Apostolic blessing to those who venerate the image of Jesus Nazareno. Part of the devotion is the holding of a procession which drew people from Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
• The image has withstood numerous calamities, including fires that ravaged Quiapo Church in 1791 and 1929, earthquakes in 1645 and 1863, and the ruins of World War II in 1945.
• On December 11, 1987, His Holiness Pope John Paul II (later canonized as Saint) recognized Quiapo Church as the Minor Basilica of the Nazarene, acknowledging its significant role in nurturing deep devotion to Jesus Christ and its cultural impact on the Filipino people's religious practices.
• It was believed that a gunshot during a fiesta procession in the 1980s caused damage to the left cheek of the image. However, the Quiapo Church clarified that this claim is false, stating that the mark is merely a dent caused by the age and dryness of the wood.
• On January 9, 2006, the Traslacion began in Luneta for the first time, retracing the journey of the image from Bagumbayan to Intramuros and finally to Quiapo.
• The image is placed on an "andas" and pulled by individuals known as "mamamasan," who use a rope to guide its movement.
• The Traslacion commemorates the transfer of the image from Intramuros to Quiapo Church, rather than the feast day of the parish.
• During the Traslacion, only the body of Jesus Nazareno is brought out for the procession, while the original head remains attached to a replica statue at the altar of Quiapo Church.
• Official replica images were given to selected Churches all over the country.
• On May 7, 2023, Quiapo Church was declared the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.
• On July 8, 2023, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines approved the Quiapo Church to become a national shrine and January 9 as a liturgical feast in the Philippines.

Whether you're a longtime devotee or someone new to the story, these fascinating facts provide a deeper understanding of why Jesus Nazareno holds such a special place in the hearts of millions.