October 21: Portobelo, Panama
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The Black Christ Of Portobelo
Every town in Panama has their own patron saint, and Portobelo, a small town on Panama’s Caribbean coast, celebrates theirs today. The Black Christ is the religious symbol of Portobelo and has been since 1658. More than 30-thousand people are expected to partake in today’s celebration in Portobelo.
On October 21, 1658, a group of fishermen found a statue to Jesus of Nazareth floating in the sea off the coast of Portobelo. Though time has changed the tradition to an extent, residents of Portobelo still honor the Black Christ or,
El Cristo Negro.
Many people will make the 99 kilometer pilgrimage on foot from Panama City to Portobelo. The last couple of kilometers are often completed on hands and knees as a sign of devotion to
El Nazareno. Many of the devotees will wear purple robes, just as a 8-foot wooden statue wears.
At 8 o’clock this evening, the purple robed statue of the Black Christ is taken from the San Felipe Church in Portobelo and is carried throughout the village before being returned to the church at exactly midnight. The statue is Panama’s most revered religious figure.
the procession/parade at Portobelo
more..
Searching for Black Jezus
Oh yeah, sportin jewels and shit..
Black Jezus.. you can be Christian
Baptist, Jehovah Witness
Straight tatted up, no doubt, no doubt
Islamic, won't matter to me
I'm a thug.. thugs, we praise Black Jezus, all day
