MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) decided to suspend work in all Manila courts on Wednesday afternoon due to the heavy traffic brought about by the ongoing Feast of the Black Nazarene.

The order to suspend work at 2 p.m. came from Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Serreno.

Authorities are expecting that more devotees will be taking part in this year’s celebration of the Catholic tradition.

Now on its 406th year, the procession commemorates the feast of the "traslacion" or the transfer of the sacred image from the Recollect Church in Intramuros, Manila to the Quiapo Church in 1787.

Organizers are hoping that this year's procession will end by around 7:30 p.m.

Several schools, colleges and universities in Manila earlier cancelled classes on Wednesday due to the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.