The Black Christ of Esquipulas is a darkened wooden image of Christ enshrined within the Cathedral Basilica of Esquipulas in Esquipulas, Guatemala. It is one of the famed black Christological images of Latin America.
Pious legends claim the image was darkened due to Spanish missionaries who wished to convert the natives who worshiped pagan nebular deity “Ek-Kampulá” in the area. [1]
By the 17th century, a devotion associated with an image became known as the "Miraculous Lord of Esquipulas" or the "Miraculous Crucifix venerated in the town called Esquipulas". Esquipulas holds its patronal festival on January 15, when the largest number of pilgrims come from Guatemala and neighboring Central American countries.[2] The shrine of El Santuario de Chimayó in Chimayo, New Mexico also honors the image. A pending application for Canonical coronation of the image was submitted to the Vatican.
- ^ Castro, Edwin. "¿Por qué el Cristo de Esquipulas es negro?". Esquipulas.com.gt. Prensa Libre. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
- ^ El cristo negro, símbolo de identidad por excelencia, en Viaje a Guatemala.com