Thousands of Cubans arrived on the night of this Tuesday at the National Sanctuary of San Lázaro, in the Havana town of Santiago de Las Vegas, located in the Havana municipality of Boyeros, to ask for and fulfill promises before the miraculous saint, whose feast day is celebrated on December 17th.
As every year, the traditional pilgrimage to Rincón, held on December 16 - the eve of Saint Lazarus - drew devotees from across the island who came with faith, hope, and gratitude.
A religious tradition that overflows with spirituality
The pilgrimage to El Rincón is not just a religious event: it is a collective expression of popular faith, a promise kept or yet to be fulfilled, and a desperate plea in times of crisis.
Images shared on social media by the National Sanctuary showed a devoted crowd, many dressed in purple and holding lit candles and images of the saint as a sign of veneration and gratitude.
Among the faithful, it is common to refer to Saint Lazarus as "Old Lazarus" or "Babalú Ayé," the name by which he is identified in Santería.
Throughout the entire day of December 16 and well into the early hours of December 17, parishioners silently paraded, singing praises or engaged in prayer, anticipating their participation in the masses and rituals that mark the climax of this celebration.
Every year, thousands of people come to him to ask for health, but also for peace, happiness, and a prosperous year that begins 14 days later.
A health context that deepens faith
This year, the pilgrimage and prayers to San Lázaro take place under the shadow of a concerning health crisis.
Cuba is facing a growing outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya, which has raised public alarm.
The Ministry of Public Health recently reported 47 deaths from arbovirus infections and 1,417 new cases of chikungunya. Deputy Minister Carilda Peña García has urged the public to seek medical attention early at health centers to prevent complications, especially among children and vulnerable individuals.
In this context, the figure of San Lázaro, recognized both in Catholic tradition and in Santería as the patron of the sick, takes on an even more powerful dimension.
In many Cuban homes, makeshift altars have been set up, and those who cannot reach the Sanctuary seek a way to spiritually connect with "Old Lazarus" within their own homes.
Religious duality: Between Catholic faith and Afro-Cuban cults
The figure of Saint Lazarus has a unique significance in Cuban spirituality.
In the Catholic tradition, Lazarus of Bethany is venerated as a friend of Jesus and later a bishop.
However, among practitioners of Afro-Cuban religions, devotion is directed towards a different figure: the poor Lazarus, covered in sores and accompanied by dogs, who appears in a biblical parable and is considered a representation of the orisha Babalú Ayé, the protector of the sick.
This syncretization turns the Sanctuary of El Rincón into a unique religious convergence point in Cuba, where Catholic masses intertwine with Yoruba rituals, drums, and prayers shared among different beliefs.
The massive visits recorded each year at El Rincón have made it the second most important sanctuary in the country, only surpassed by the Basilica of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba, where the national patroness, the Virgen de la Caridad, is venerated.
A faith that survives adversity
Amid material shortages, health crises, and social disillusionment, the celebration of December 17 remains a symbol of spiritual resistance for thousands of Cubans.
The devotion to San Lázaro, rich in elements of syncretism and mysticism, provides a refuge for those who have lost almost everything, except for their faith.
Despite the criticisms of the government's handling of the health crisis, Cubans see this celebration as an opportunity to renew their hope and to seek comfort, health, and protection.
As every December, "Old Lázaro" has received his parade of promises, his load of supplications, and his endless wave of believers.
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