Rich Black Christ robe donated by boxer Roberto Duran

Black Christ robe? The Black Christ of Portobelo is decked out in rich velvet robes (togas) that would make a Middle Ages king green with envy.

The statue wears different robes for two ceremonial occasions each year: red for October 21 and purple for Holy week, la semana Santa. Each toga is decorated with lace, gold braid, sequins and ‘jewels’. The robes are carefully sewn by groups of women in this economically poor community, using money donated for the purpose.

Many of the old robes are now housed in a museum behind the church in which thousands pray before the larger-than-life statue. One of the richest was donated by world-famous former boxer, Panama’s own Roberto Duran.

The Black Christ wears undergarments of snow-white linen, trimmed with delicate hand-made lace, beneath the outer robe. Worshippers pin gold trinkets and jewelry to the robe on October 21 in the hopes of gaining special privileges.

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