October Turns to Faith: The Christ of Pachacamilla Dresses Peru in Purple
What is celebrated in the month of October in Peru?
During the month of October, throughout Peru, the Lord of Miracles is celebrated with great religious fervor. He is also known as the Christ of Pachacamilla or the Purple Christ. This is one of the most important and widely attended expressions of faith in the country. During this month, thousands of people — of all ages, social classes, and races — dress in purple to honor the crucified Christ, offering prayers, petitions, and requests for miracles, especially for the health and well-being of their loved ones.
Devotion to the Lord of Miracles dates back to the 17th century. In the year 1651, an Angolan slave named Pedro Dalcón painted the image of the crucified Christ on one of the walls of a house-garden located in the Pachacamilla neighborhood, near the center of Lima. This property belonged to Diego Tebes Manrique de Lara, and the mural was created as an act of faith during a time marked by a yellow fever epidemic that was decimating the population of Lima.
What was surprising was that, despite the passage of time and several attempts to destroy it, the image miraculously remained intact. One of the most astonishing events occurred on November 13, 1655, when a violent 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Lima, toppling houses and churches. However, the wall with the image of Christ suffered no damage, which many interpreted as a divine sign. Years later, in 1687, another major earthquake once again devastated the city, and once more, the mural was left completely unharmed. This further strengthened the people's faith and increased devotion to the Christ of Pachacamilla.
Nearly two decades after the first miracle, a local resident named Andrés de León built a roof and an adobe base to protect the wall and place candles. He himself witnessed a miracle, as he was cured of a serious illness, which made him one of the first great devotees of the Lord of Miracles. From then on, the worship continued to grow steadily.
At one point, the authorities tried to erase the image, claiming that the behavior of the faithful did not align with the religious standards of the time. However, all attempts to remove it inexplicably failed, which was seen as another divine sign affirming the sanctity of the image.
Today, the original mural is preserved in the main altar of the Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas in Lima. Every October, thousands of worshippers take part in massive processions through the streets of the capital, forming a sea of purple, incense, and religious chants. This tradition has become not only an act of faith but also one of the deepest cultural and spiritual expressions in Peru.
When Does Peru Dress in Purple?
Peru dresses in purple during the month of October to pay homage to the Lord of Miracles, who is considered the patron of Catholicism in our country. This venerated image is the most representative symbol of popular Peruvian faith and has been taken out in procession since 1687, traveling through the streets of Lima. The main day of this religious celebration is October 18th, when thousands of faithful accompany the image of the Purple Christ in one of the largest displays of faith in the world.
The use of the color purple holds deep meaning in this tradition. It was the African slaves who lived in colonial Peru who adopted this color as a symbol of penance and devotion to the crucified Christ. Over time, purple became the official color of this festivity and was also adopted by the Church for the liturgies specific to the month of October, associating it with humility, faith, and spiritual reflection.
The image that is currently carried in procession represents the crucified Christ painted on a wall—a work miraculously preserved despite earthquakes and other disasters. It is said that Sebastián Antuñano, a great devotee of the Lord of Miracles, commissioned an oil painting of this image, which was carried on litters through the streets of the old neighborhood of Pachacamilla, visiting hospitals, homes, and the sick. This marked the beginning of the processional tradition that continues to this day.
The purple habit worn by the faithful during the processions has its origins in the year 1687, when the religious woman Antonia Lucía del Espíritu Santo, better known as Antonia Lucía Maldonado, founded the Beaterio de las Nazarenas. The women of this religious community adopted the color purple as part of their attire in honor of the Christ of Pachacamilla. Since then, this habit has been preserved by generations of devotees, becoming a visible symbol of devotion, penance, and love for the Lord of Miracles.
Who accompanies the Lord of Miracles during the procession?
Throughout the entire procession, the Lord of Miracles is accompanied by the Virgin Mary, represented on this occasion by the Virgin of the Cloud. This Marian devotion is based on a 1696 painting in which the Virgin is depicted as a queen, holding the Child Jesus in her left arm and a scepter in her right hand—a symbol of her power and heavenly royalty.
The Virgin of the Cloud is especially venerated in Ecuador, as according to tradition, she appeared in the form of a cloud before the faithful after miraculously healing the Bishop of Quito, Monsignor Sancho de Andrade y Figueroa, who was suffering from a serious illness. Since then, her image has become a symbol of faith, hope, and comfort for her devotees.
During the procession of the Christ of Pachacamilla, sahumadoras are also present—devout women who purify the Lord’s path with the smoke of incense they carry in censers. Some of them walk barefoot as an act of penance and do so with their backs to the image of the Purple Christ as a gesture of deep reverence. They wear a purple habit and a white mantilla, traditional symbols of their devotion.
The task of carrying the Lord of Miracles' platform falls to the squads of the Brotherhood of the Christ of Pachacamilla. The first of these squads was formed between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It was Viceroy Manuel de Amat y Juniet who officially organized the first groups of carriers, thus laying the foundation for the formation of the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles, which continues to keep this important expression of faith alive to this day.
What drinks and desserts are traditionally consumed in October?
In the month of October, known as the "Purple Month" throughout Peru, it is a tradition to enjoy a variety of typical sweets and drinks that are part of our rich cultural heritage. Among them, chicha morada stands out — a refreshing and delicious drink made from purple corn, spices, and fruits such as pineapple and apple.
Another must-have during this time is the traditional Turrón de Doña Pepa, an iconic sweet known for its crunchy texture, generous layer of syrup, and colorful decoration with sprinkles and dried fruits. Also very popular are picarones, a dessert with over 200 years of history, whose shape resembles donuts but are made with a dough based on sweet potato and squash, fried and served drenched in a sweet syrup made from chancaca (unrefined cane sugar).
Finally, you can't miss the exquisite mazamorra morada, a dessert also made from purple corn, to which dried fruits, raisins, prunes, and a delicate touch of cinnamon are added, enhancing its characteristic flavor and aroma.
Procession Route of the Lord of Miracles 2025
After 22 years of absence, the sacred image of the Lord of Miracles returns to Callao, stirring great excitement and devotion among the faithful in the port city. On this special occasion, the venerated image will be transported in the Nazareno Móvil, a vehicle specially adapted for its processional journey, allowing thousands of devotees to accompany it as it travels through the streets of the main port.
The long-awaited return of the Lord of Miracles began on Saturday, October 4th, the date of its first processional outing. The second procession is scheduled for sabado, October 18th, followed by additional processions on Sunday the 19th, martes the 28th of October, and finally, Friday, November 1st.
Each of these dates represents a unique opportunity to renew faith, express gratitude, and experience up close one of the country’s most important and moving religious traditions.
SOURCES:
UTP Universidad Tecnologica del Perú
TVPERU
LA REPUBLICA
EL COMERCIO
ANDINA Agencia peruana de noticias