MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of devotees joined the Black Nazarene thanksgiving procession in the first hours of Sunday, December 31.

The procession began at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo at 2 am. It was also the start of the 9-day novena mass for the feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, 2018.

Three major roads were closed starting 1 am of December 31 for the procession: thesouthbound lane of Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo), from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Plaza Miranda, theeastbound lane of Recto Avenue from Rizal Avenue to SH Loyola Street, and thewestbound lane of España Boulevard from P. Campa to Lerma Street.

Here are photos of the procession.