Lord of the Miracles

Trip Start Sep 11, 2008

Trip End Jan 03, 2009

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Flag of Peru Chiclayo, Peru
Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I witnessed something interesting while waiting at the tour office this morning - a huge crowd of people, many of whom were dressed in purple robes, surrounding a huge image of Christ, being carried by at least a dozen people. The procession, I learned, was one of many happening in many parts of Peru this month, to honour the "Lord of the Miracles". It started centuries ago in Lima, when a black man painted an image of Christ on a wall. Soon after there was an earthquake, and lo and behold, the wall was the only thing that wasn�t damaged. So of course, the wall is now in a church, and the event is celebrated every year, with processions like this, that go for hours. Believers dress in purple for the whole month of October, and the procession stops at hospitals, houses etc for prayers and blessings.

I have to admit I don�t get how people can have such strong belief in things that I consider to be coincidence, but it�s a huge part of life in this part of the world, as it was in Ecuador. Religion is everything to these people. And I guess it�s understandable that they cling to it, when you see how the majority of people live here. I guess it gives them a sense of hope for a better life, and something more than what they have now.

I have some video footage o the procession, but it takes forever to upload, so will try to do it tomorrow - stay tuned!

Slideshow