Thousands of Cubans arrived on the night of this past Monday at the National Sanctuary of San Lázaro, located in the Havana town of Santiago de Las Vegas, to make requests and fulfill promises before the miraculous saint, whose feast day is celebrated on December 17.
Images posted on the Facebook profile of the Sanctuary showed a large number of people gathered in the vicinity, carrying candles or images of the saint as they made their way to the altar.
The images revealed that in some cases, the intervention of rescuers was necessary for individuals who had fainted.
A selection of photos published on the news portal La Tijera documented the immense faith inspired by the old Lázaro, whose devotion among Cubans is only surpassed by that generated by the Caridad del Cobre, the island's Patron Saint.
As every year, on December 16th, thousands of people processed throughout the day to the National Sanctuary of Rincón, located in the municipality of Boyeros, to present offerings in fulfillment of various promises or to request another miracle.
According to Catholic doctrine, Lazarus of Bethany is venerated as a friend of Jesus who later became a bishop. Meanwhile, practitioners of Afro-Cuban religions worship what they believe to be a representation of the orisha Babalú Ayé. In this case, the image referred to in this worship is that of Lazarus the Poor, a character portrayed in a biblical parable, who has also become entrenched in a variant of popular Catholicism.
Visits to Rincón each year make it the second most important Catholic temple in the country, surpassed only by the number of pilgrims who arrive at the Sanctuary of the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba.
Believers typically lay offerings of sweets, fruits, and trinkets at the altar, along with many candles. Many choose to practice flagellation, enduring long distances while carrying heavy stones or dragging thick chains.
The celebration reaches its peak on Tuesday, December 17, when thousands of people take part in masses and rituals dedicated to San Lázaro, reinforcing its status as one of the island's most significant traditions.
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