Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra paid homage to the Lord of Miracles image in a second procession through the streets of downtown Lima.
He was joined by First Lady Maribel Diaz and the Ministerial Cabinet —led by Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva.
The special ceremony was held outside the Government Palace.
Vizcarra and his wife approached the sacred image and remained next to it for a few moments.
Afterward, the Peruvian leader joined a group of men in purple robes known as "cargadores" (carriers), on whose shoulders falls the task of transporting the heavy image.
The two-ton base bearing the painting left Las Nazarenas Church —alongside thousands of worshipers— to embark on its second tour of 2018.
Lima's Municipality and Congress joined the commemorative program by rending homage to the religious icon at their respective facilities.
History
Also known as the Christ of Pachacamilla, the Lord of Miracles procession constitutes Peru's most heavily attended religious festivity.
The image is a replica of a 17th-century mural of the crucifixion painted on the walls of a hut in the plantation of Pachacamilla (near Lima) by an Angolan slave.
The image became a motive for worship after the wall on which it was painted miraculously survived a destructive earthquake unscathed.
(END) CVC/DTK/RMB
Published: 10/18/2018