Saint or Pagan God?

By HT Correspondent

Updated On Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

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1 / 10

A man kneels to pray in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

A man kneels to pray in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

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A woman conducts a ritual outside the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

A woman conducts a ritual outside the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

3 / 10

A woman drinks aguardiente, an alcoholic drink, while praying in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

A woman drinks aguardiente, an alcoholic drink, while praying in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

4 / 10

A man rubs two eggs against his body as he kneels down to cleanse his spirit outside the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

A man rubs two eggs against his body as he kneels down to cleanse his spirit outside the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

5 / 10

A man prays in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

A man prays in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

6 / 10

People light candles in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

People light candles in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

7 / 10

A woman sits with an image of San Simon on the table at an entrance of the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

A woman sits with an image of San Simon on the table at an entrance of the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

8 / 10

A woman is sprayed with aguardiente, an alcoholic drink, in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

A woman is sprayed with aguardiente, an alcoholic drink, in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

9 / 10

Candles in honor of San Simon is seen in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

Candles in honor of San Simon is seen in the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. People in Guatemala revere San Simon, also known by its Mayan name Maximon o Ry Laj Man, on October 28 annually. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

10 / 10

People dance to honor San Simon outside of the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

Updated on Oct 29, 2011 02:44 pm IST

People dance to honor San Simon outside of the church of San Simon in Iztapa, in the region of Escuintla, 62 km (39 miles) from Guatemala City. For some devotees, San Simon is synonymous with prosperity and happiness, while others associate him with witchcraft, paganism and a protector for drunkards. Since the 19th century, devotees have offered money, liquor or tobacco in exchange for his blessings.

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