Pagan Saint - San Simón

During our trip to Zuníl, we also took the time to visit the pagan saint San Simón in the house where he is currently being held. Many people bring offerings of cigarettes, alcohol, and many colored candles each representing different requests. We had to wind through the streets following various signs to guide us to San Simón's house for this year. We had to pay an entrance fee of Q10 each, but he's such an icon here that it was worth it. Normally, pictures are not allowed unless paid for, so Toby and I snuck in the camera and took a few candid shots.

*Below, I have copied information about San Simón/Maximón from wikipedia because it offers a very accurate and informational depiction of this pagan saint, and probably better than I could tell.

Maximón is a saint worshipped in various forms by Maya people of several towns in the highlands of Western Guatemala. The origins of his cult are not very well understood by outsiders to the different Mayan religions, but he is believed to be a form of the pre-Colombian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from Catholicism.Maximón may also be called San Simón.

Originally, he was believed to be a catholic priest who had looked after aboriginals during early 1600s. Where he is venerated, he is represented by an effigy which resides in a different house each year, being moved in a procession during Holy Week. During the rest of the year, devotees visit Maximón in his chosen residence, where his shrine is usually attended by two people from the representing Cofradia who keep the shrine in order and pass offerings from visitors to the effigy. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes to gain his favour in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favours. The effigy invariably has a lit cigarette or cigar in its mouth, and in some places, it will have a hole in its mouth to allow the attendants to give it spirits to drink.

Maximón is generally dressed in European 18th century style, although with many local variations. In Santiago Atitlán he is adorned with many colorful garlands, while in Zuníl (where he is known as San Simón) he has a much more intimidating style, with his face obscured by dark sunglasses and a bandanna.

The worship of Maximón treats him not so much as a benevolent deity as a bit of a bully whom it's wise to keep on the right side of, he is also known to be a link between Xibalbá "The Underworld" and Bitol "Corazón del Cielo." His expensive tastes in alcohol and cigarettes indicate that he is a very human character, very different from the ascetic ideals of Christian sainthood. Devotees believe that prayers for revenge, or success at the expense of others, are likely to be granted by Maximón.