The Black Nazarene is a life-sized image of a dark-skinned, kneeling Jesus Christ carrying the Cross enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the Quiapo district of the City of Manila. It was carved by a unknown Mexican from a dark wood in the 16th century, and arrived in Manila via galleon from Acapulco, on May 31, 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion, and was housed in several churches near Manila in the early decades, arriving in Quiapo Church in 1787 where it has been enshrined ever since.
The image (in recent years a composite replica) is brought out of its shrine for public veneration three times a year: January 9, Good Friday (the Nazarene's "actual" feast, commemorating the culmination of the Passion), and December 31 (New Year's Eve, the first day of the novena). The January 9 procession reenacts the image's Traslación (literally, "transfer") in 1787 to the Minor Basilica from its original shrine inside Intramuros. The Black Nazarene is venerated every Friday, and along with the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) is the most popular object of devotion in the Philippines.
Every January 9, the Traslación makes its way along the streets of Quiapo, with attendees reaching up to 12 million. All devotees wear maroon and yellow like the image, and they walk barefoot as a form of penance and in emulation of Christ's walk to Golgotha. The Black Nazarene is borne in procession on the Ándas, and traditionally only men were permitted to be namámasán ("bearers", devotees pulling the wheeled Ándas by its two large ropes). In recent years female namámasán have been allowed to participate.
About the stamps
The stamps are part of a definitive series, Popular Fruits of the Philippines, designed by Rodine C. Teodoro.
14.03.2017
• Egg Fruit / Pouteria campechiana (1 PHP)
• Wild Sweet Sop / Rollinia deliciosa (3 PHP) - It's on the postcard 3156
• Philippine Wild Raspberry / Rubus rosifolius (5 PHP)
• Dragon Fruit / Hylocereus undatus (100 PHP)
21.03.2017
• Pomelo / Citrus maxima (14 PHP)
• Calamansi / Citrofortunella mitis (17 PHP)
• Tamarind / Tamarindus indica (40 PHP)
29.03.2017
• Grapes / Vitis vinifera (12 PHP) - It's on the postcard 3156
• Bignay / Antidesma bunius (23 PHP)
• Coconut / Cocos nucifera (28 PHP)
References
Black Nazarene - Wikipedia
Senders: Rumardilla
Sent from Davao City (Davao Region / Philippines), on 29.06.2017
Photo: Edwin Loyola (Best of the Island Photo Contest - March 19, 1997)
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