Black Nazarene procession starts

MANILA, Philippines - The traditional procession of the Black Nazarene or "traslacion" started Thursday morning after a Holy Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Around 7:30 a.m., the image of Black Nazarene was lifted by barefooted devotees to the carriage right after the Mass.

While being lifted to the carriage, the miraculous icon almost fell as several devotees attempted to touch the image.

The movement of the procession was slow as droves of devotees attempted to approach the image and touch the religious icon.

Several teenage boys also tried to climb the carriage, but they were prevented by marshalls.

Other devotees who brought along with them replicas of the Black Nazarene were waiting for the carriage to pass along the routes of the procession. 

The Black Nazarene image will be paraded around selected routes in Manila. Its final destination will be in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church.   

Church officials estimate that it would take 18 hours before the carriage of the Black Nazarene to reach the church.