UJ #17 - Traditional Peru

People spread through
various blocks of the city
centre as they follow the
plinth through the streets.
DURING THE PROCESSIONS, THE
PLINTH OF THE LORD OF THE
MIRACLES TRAVERSES OVER 13
KILOMETRES ON AVERAGE. SOME
YEARS, THE LENGTH VARIES
DEPENDING ON THE ROUTE THE
BROTHERHOOD HAS CHOSEN.
As the ‘Christ of Pachacamilla’ gained notoriety, church
officials became increasingly displeased. In 1671, in
response to the pressure put on him by Churches,
Viceroy Pedro Antonio Fernandez de Castro Andrade
gave the order to erase the image. Nonetheless, despite
various attempts, this task was never seen through. It
seemed that each time anyone went to remove it, they
would feel the earth quake beneath them, or be plagued
with chills throughout their bodies, while others would
just flee without reason.
In 1687, Lima was struck by another sizable earthquake,
and once again, the wall remained intact. After this
second miracle, everyone was talking about the image,
and a replica was made for a celebratory procession that
same year. This established the official recognition and
importance of the Lord of the Miracles by the authorities,
and started a tradition that is maintained to this day.
Walter Silvera / PromPerú
Now, there are five different processions for the Lord
of the Miracles, which take place on the 1st, 18th, 19th,
and 28th of October, and the 1st of November. The
image is taken from the Nazarenas Monastery in the
Centre of Lima, and the two-ton plinth decorated with
gold, silver, and precious stones is walked through the
city streets. The processions are organized by the Lord
of the Miracles Brotherhood, a group of men dressed in
purple habits in charge of carrying the heavy plinth on
their shoulders.
Thousands of devotees follow Lima’s patron through
the streets trying to get close to him. Many of them
take rosaries, holy cards, and books in hopes of getting
them blessed, while others dress in purple habits to
demonstrate their adoration. All of them are bonded,
however, by their shared desire to experience the
The devotees throw balloons, petals,
and confetti from the balconies to
demonstrate their joy for his arrival.
Walter Silvera / PromPerú
‘miracle’ of the ‘Cristo Moreno.’
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