In annual religious pilgrimage, Panamanians crawl to reach the Black Christ of Portobelo

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Pilgrims arrive inside San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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The San Felipe Church, which houses the Black Christ, stands in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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A pilgrim carries a replica of the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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A tattoo of Christ covers the chest of pilgrim Ernesto Troya who crawls to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrims rest outside San Felipe Church where they came to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrims arrive at San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, at dawn Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrims sing and dance inside San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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A woman takes a photo of her daughter at the San Jeronimo fort in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrims rest on the side of the road after leaving San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Reinaldo Almanza holds his son Reinier with a candle at San Felipe Church in honor of the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Barber Jose Valdespinto cuts a pilgrim’s hair, part of the pilgrim’s penance, outside the San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrims joke around with water after crawling to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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A woman drips candle wax on Valentin Solis as part of his penance, as pilgrims make their way, some crawling, to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic Black Christ statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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A pilgrim rests next to a replica of the Black Christ sitting on a car hood in Portobelo, Panama, before dawn Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrim Ernesto Troya stretches his friend’s leg as they take a break from crawling on their knees to San Felipe Church, behind, to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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People take cover from rain at San Felipe Church in Portobelo, Panama, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, a day before the Black Christ festival. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrims rest from crawling to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, early Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Pilgrims crawl to San Felipe Church to honor the Black Christ in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Children play at a vendor’s booth outside San Felipe Catholic church in Portobelo, Panama, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a festival celebrating the iconic statue that was found on the shore in 1658. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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People stand under an umbrella at the San Jeronimo fort in Portobelo, Panama, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, a day before the Black Christ festival. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

By MATÍAS DELACROIX

PORTOBELO, Panama (AP) — At dawn, pilgrims like Ernesto Troya undertook the hardest stretch of their journey to reach the statue of the Black Christ of Portobelo in Panama. Moved by faith, they crawled for several hours along the street toward the image of the saint.

It is one of the most striking scenes to happen every year in the northern province of Colón. Every Oct. 21, the province celebrates the festival of the Black Christ of Portobelo. It is considered one of the largest Catholic pilgrimages in the Central American country and dates back centuries.

Portobelo is a tourist destination that is part of Panama’s historical and cultural heritage. The city served as a port and trade center during the Spanish colonial times in the Caribbean Sea.

According to some historians, legend has it that a fisherman found the statue of the Black Christ wrapped in a “cayuco,” or wooden boat, off the coast of Portobelo on Oct. 21, 1658. When the Spaniards discovered the presence of the saint, they decided to move it to another country on the continent. However, every time the boat tried to set sail with the statue, a storm came and prevented it from leaving port. The settlers, many of them of slave and African descent, adopted the image as their patron saint.

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Thousands of pilgrims arrive at the church of San Felipe, which houses the Black Christ on an altar. After walking long distances in what is known as “mandas” they give thanks for a favor or miracle granted.

Many pilgrims like Troya, a 46-year-old security guard, made a dramatic final run through the streets of the town. Crawling to the image of the Christ, the pilgrimage usually causes cramps and knee injuries.

“If one gets on their knees with the faith one has (in the saint) everything will go well. With faith everything is possible,” said Troya.