Dozens of devotees participated in the aquatic procession of the San Pedro Apostol (Saint Peter Apostle) image, marking the beginning of activities related to the patronal festival.
The event took place in the Bellavista-Nanay area belonging to the Punchana district in the rainforest city of Iquitos, Loreto region —northeastern Peru.
Every June 28, faithful devotees and the general public accompany the image during a procession of Saint Peter Apostle on the ground and river water.
This ecclesiastical activity has as its peculiarity the river procession. Thus, the image and its devotees travel on board "peque peque" boats the Amazon River, visiting local communities.
The tour started at the Nanay Port, crossed the Amazon River, and the Momon River until reaching the Padre Cocha community.
Amid this route, the mayordomos (butlers) and Father Signer Caballero —who serves as parish priest at San Pedro Apostol Church— performed a small sacred liturgy to honor the patron saint.
"This is the first time that the tour of Saint Peter Fisherman's altar has been carried out over the Bellavista-Nanay Bridge, and that allowed many residents to join this Christian tradition with the aim of renewing their faith," Caballero affirmed.
The events of the patron saint festivity continue this Thursday with activities such as the preparation of the "Largest Tacacho (local dish) in the World," "Boat Races," "5K Marathon," among other gastronomic and cultural events.