President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva participated this Saturday (12) in the river pilgrimage of the Círio de Nazaré, in Belém. The procession is part of the festivities honoring Our Lady of Nazaré, patron saint of the state.
Accompanied by the first lady, Janja Lula da Silva, the president began the river candle at around 9 am and performed the liturgical act of placing the image of the patron saint in a glass niche on the main boat of the pilgrimage, which belongs to the Brazilian Navy.
Around 400 boats are part of the procession, which travels around 18 kilometers through Guajará Bay.
Tradition
Later, the president will participate in another Círio de Nazaré event. The ceremony to pass the image of the patron saint in the Transladação is scheduled for 9:30 pm, considered one of the main processions of the candle.
The Círio de Nazaré has been held for over 200 years in the capital of Pará. The festival of devotion to Our Lady of Nazareth brings together millions of people annually and is considered a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
President Lula takes part in the river pilgrimage of the Círio de Nazaré, in Trapiche de Icoaraci. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert
