![]() But the city is fun and undeniably alive.ĭowntown is fairly average with the usual glass skyscrapers. The city is busy- in many ways stressful- and the mix of cultures, heat, and poverty has occasionally boiled over into ethnic and civil strife. These activities bring a large banking industry as well as cargo transport and warehousing the manufacturing and corporate headquarters rosters are also growing. Many think of it as a tourist center, but import/export and international financial trade with Latin countries make up a far larger part of the economy. The inevitable result is a diverse and invigorating Latin culture superimposed upon what was already a major commercial, resort, and retirement area dating back to the 1920’s. In many ways it serves as the central logistical and cultural hub of the entire Western Hemisphere. They arrive at the Sanctuary loaded with flowers, candles and offerings and fall on their knees to pray to the most miraculous of all saints, for health and prosperity.Miami has always been the commercial and cultural center for Florida and the nearby Caribbean, but in the past 30 years it has emerged as a world-class international hub and a gateway for all of Latin America. Adoration of his devoteesĬrowds flock to pay devotion to Saint Lazarus dressed in jute and purple, elements that characterize it, in syncretism with Babalú Ayé. The fact is that, although believers keep the miracles of this adored Saint and Orisha secret, so great is the devotion that families are known to bring immense offerings to the deity and great sacrifices are made every year to implore health and to give thanks. For this reason, believers keep the help of the Saint and the orisha Babalú Ayé a secret, but there are thousands of stories and legends about cures for deadly diseases. It is said that Saint Lazarus does not reveal his miracles. The water from the miraculous spring grants blessings to those who wash with it, so many devotees, after praying to the saint, go there to clean their illnesses, diseases and ailments. Near the statue, a fountain emanates a stream of water that, according to popular legends, was blessed by the deity. In the Sanctuary located in El Rincón, the effigy is placed on the outskirts of the church, as by rule the institution does not recognize the Saint Lazarus that the devotees venerate. On December 17, the day of Saint Lazarus and Babalú Ayé, thousands of believers flock to the place to thank and ask the saint and the Orisha for help. Sanctuary of San Lázaro Bendito in CubaĮl Sanctuary of San Lázaro, is located west of the capital city of Santiago de las Vegas, precisely in the town "El Rincón" and is today one of the most revered places in the country, with its Catholic church with altars and chapels that are also dedicated to other deities venerated by Cubans as Caridad del Cobre and Santa Bárbara. Thousands of people travel many kilometers, from all over Cuba. all will fulfill their mission to Saint Lazarus. Those who carry promises walk barefoot, crawl, carry a weight on their shoulders, carry thousands of offerings. Months before, faith and devotion have already passed through Cuban roads, people who have prayed to the deity of the Catholic religion and representative of Afro-Cuban culture. ![]() Promises to the saintĪs a saint venerated by the Cuban people, there are many who make promises to him in exchange for the return of health or the healing of a loved one.Īnd that is why the pilgrimage to pay tribute in the Sanctuary of San Lázaro, it is not only limited to the month of December. ![]() In Cuba, Saint Lazarus is syncretized in Santeria with the Orisha Babalu Aye, African deity of the Yoruba religion, healer of leprosy, smallpox, venereal diseases, skin and in general of pests and misery. ![]() In Cuba, the cult spans centuries and devotees offer the saint great offerings and sacrifices, every December 17, a day in which many keep promises and wear sackcloth in his honor.Įvery year the pilgrimage to Sanctuary of San Lázaro to pay tribute to him, there are more than 15 believers who go there to thank, pray, meditate and implore his miracles.
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