PERU: VILLA EL SALVADOR: PURPLE CHRIST/LORD OF MIRACLES PROCESSION скачать в хорошем качестве

PERU: VILLA EL SALVADOR: PURPLE CHRIST/LORD OF MIRACLES PROCESSION

(28 Oct 1996) Spanish/Nat A Peruvian shantytown has been engulfed by religious fervour and festivities. Residents of Villa El Salvador took to the streets for the procession of the "Purple Christ" also known as "The Lord of Miracles." The procession is held every year in downtown Lima but for the first time the icon was paraded in some of the capital's shantytowns. After more than a month of preparations residents of Villa El Salvador welcomed one of the country's most revered religious images. On Sunday the "Purple Christ" was paraded through the streets of this shantytown in the outskirts of Lima. The icon was brought in a truck from the Nazarenas Church in Lima to Villa El Salvador. It was placed on a platform covered with flowers and purple decorations. The procession, held every October, is an ancient religious tradition dating back to the 18th century. Traditionally the procession takes place in Lima's main square. But this year organisers broke with tradition and brought the icon, also known as "The Lord of Miracles", to the poor. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "This is something unexpected, something emotional, the fact that the Lord of Miracles is here with us. We have to thank the authorities because the Lord is here, and I wish they would make it possible for this to be done every year." SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "I am a sick man, but the Lord gives me strength to keep going. I am 70 and happy to be able to accompany the Lord of Miracles every year." SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop Devotees made flower carpets to cover the streets where the "Purple Christ" was paraded. Women wore traditional white mantillas, while many others wore purple garments. Holding incense burners and chanting religious hymns, the devotees spent most of the day parading the image. The "Purple Christ" sprang from the imagination of a humble black man who painted, with predominant shades of purple, the Crucified Christ. In the 18th century a massive earthquake destroyed the town but the icon painted on the wall emerged unharmed giving birth to an ongoing cult. For decades many devotees have taken part in the procession hoping the Lord of Miracles will cure them or grant them all sorts of petitions. This year the image travelled some 30 miles (40 kilometres) stopping at six districts of Lima. And amid the heavy odour of incense and religious chants, the Purple Christ finished another long procession until next year when once again Peruvians will flock the streets to show their devotion. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...