Our stop in Guatemala was to visit this wonderful church featuring Guatemala's Black Christ (El Cristo Negro de Esquipulas). The Cristo Negro, is a 410-year-old statue housed in the Basilica of Esquipulas in this town of the same name.The term "Black Christ" refers to black stone used to create the statue. Worshippers are funneled by railing to the front of the statue (enclosed in glass) where they have the opportunity to pray. Worshippers then leave by walking backwards out of the church, never turning their back to the statue.
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