Quiapo Spartans shield churchgoers from harm
They are known as the “Spartans” of Quiapo church.
These 200 men wearing maroon or yellow shirts have a key role in keeping the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene orderly and accident-free.
“The force of the people going inside the church is so strong, that’s why there is a break system. If not, it will be dangerous for the people,” Ignacio said in an interview.
Ignacio said the Spartans used to serve as mamamasan but they gave up that role for the sake of protecting the people.
He said the Spartans got their name from the legendary soldiers of Sparta, an ancient Greek citystate.
In 480 BC, 300 Spartans led by their king, Leonidas, held off a 250,000-strong Persian army at the Thermopylae Pass for seven days before they were annihilated.
A couple, Myrna and Nestor Santiago, who are devotees of the Black Nazarene said they owe a debt of gratitude to the Spartans of Quiapo church for keeping them safe.
“The surge of people was unnerving, especially for the elderly and the women. It was a good thing they were there to control the crowd,” said Myrna.
Another devotee, Tessa Mirasol, admitted disobeying the directions of the marshalls and organizers in order to fulfill her yearly panata (vow) to get close to the image.
“They don’t usually allow women to join the procession because of the shoving and pushing. But I had to get close to him (Nazarene),” Mirasol said.
“I used to go home with bruised feet, but I accept that as part of my sacrifice. I told the Nazareno, I would join the procession as long as my body can endure it. I know he will always protect me,” she said.
Msgr. Ignacio said these are just expressions of one’s faith and devotion.
“Our expressions are expressed ‘in the concrete’. This is an Asian trait,” he said in an article posted on the Quiapo Church website.
“We Filipinos believe in the presence of the Divine in sacred objects and places…We all know we don’t worship statues only God. If these statues would ‘bridge us to God’, then we want to connect with God using these statues. Kissing or holding on to the statues is not worshipping statues, it is connecting to the divine,” he said.
Whether some expressions are delusional or devotional, Ignacio said, it is the heart of the person that will often decide if an expression is right or wrong.
“It is only God who could see through the hearts of peoples. I hope, before we make easy judgments about devotions, we must first understand why people express their faith the way they do. Those who could judge better about these acts of religiosity are those who understand fully the heart of the devotee,” he said.
By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO
mb.com.ph
mb.com.ph
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