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Statues of folk saint Maximon sit in front of an image of Saint Judas Thaddeus, top, inside the chapel of Maximon in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon dresses elegantly and will always be seen wearing a smart hat, holding his cane and sporting a moustache. Maximon or San Simon, whose real origins are a mystery, is the most venerated folk saint in the Maya highlands of Guatemala. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Pho_Vros__4_]()
A musican plays a flute during a procession of Saint Judas Thaddeus as part of folk saint Maximon's celebrations in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Every year thousands of faithful make the pilgrimage to thank and pay their respects to Maximon, the mischievous looking saint whose roots are a confusing blend of pre-Hispanic beliefs and Christian rituals. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros__7_]()
A member of a brotherhood dances with a statue of Maximon during a ceremony in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Pho_Vros__1_]()
Worshippers listen to a Mexican norteno music band outside the chapel of folk saint Maximon in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. After a day of pilgrimage during Maximon's celebrations, faithful listen to music and drink alcoholic beverages. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Pho_Vros]()
Worshippers visit the chapel of folk saint Maximon in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Faithful of Maximon can make any request to the folk saint: better crops, luck in romance, good health or even vengeance. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Pho_Vros__2_]()
Candles with images of folk saint Maximon sit at his chapel in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Every year thousands make the pilgrimage to thank and pay their respects to Maximon, the mischievous looking saint whose roots are a confusing blend of pre-Hispanic beliefs and Christian rituals. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Pho_Vros__5_]()
A woman prays as a procession of Saint Judas Thaddeus passes in front of her house during the celebrations of Maximon in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Thousands of faithful make the yearly pilgrimage to one of his most popular shrines in the town of San Andres Xecul to thank and pay their respects to Maximon, this mischievous looking saint whose roots are a confusing blend of pre-Hispanic beliefs and Christian rituals. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros]()
Worshippers carry a statue of Saint Judas Thaddeus as part of the celebrations of Maximon in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros__1_]()
Worshippers carry a statue of Saint Judas Thaddeus as part of the celebrations of Maximon in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros__2_]()
Worshippers carry a statue of Saint Judas Thaddeus as part of the celebrations of Maximon in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Pho_Vros__6_]()
Women rest after cooking for several hours for pilgrims attending folk saint Maximon's celebrations in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros__4_]()
A worshipper pours liquor into a statue of Maximon in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros__6_]()
Musicians talk during a pause inside the chapel of Maximon, in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros__5_]()
Worshippers wait for the start of a procession of Saint Judas Thaddeus as part of the celebrations of Maximon, in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)![Guatemala_Maximon_Vros__3_]()
A member of a brotherhood dances with a statue of Maximon during a ceremony in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. Maximon is a pagan saint venerated mostly by Mayan Indian communities in the highlands of Western Guatemala whose taste in alcohol and cigarettes portrays him as a very human character, different from the ideals of Christian sainthood. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)Maximón, Maya Folk Saint Of The Guatemalan Highlands
Maximón is believed to be a form of the pre-Columbian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from Spanish Catholicism.
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- Maximón, Maya Folk Saint Of The Guatemalan Highlands
