This church devoted to San Lázaro is situated in the small town of Rincón, in the municipality of Boyeros. Originally, it was a hospital, Real Hospital de San Lázaro, built on the Juan Guillén Cove in 1781, and the church inside the two-story building became a temple frequented by people suffering from leprosy and devout followers of San Lázaro or Babalú Ayé seeking spiritual wellbeing or to fulfill their promises. The hospital was later moved to Mariel and finally to Rincón, where a small church was erected by the entrance. The bell tower was built in the early 1920s. Listed as National Sanctuary, the temple has several altars with statues of the saints Cubans worship the most. The “Lázaro Milagroso” (Miraculous Lázaro) is the oldest statue in the chapel and occupies a privileged area, protected by a display case.
Every December 16, on the eve of the feast of San Lázaro, the temple becomes overcrowded as devout followers of the saint, known for his healing powers and granting personal requests, make their pilgrimage to the temple to celebrate the saint’s day on the 17 and to keep the promises made to him. Some of the more devout drag themselves along on their hands and knees, often with large stones tied to their legs or carrying large wooden crosses. The crowd usually includes curious by-standers, tourists and journalists. And in his visit to Cuba in 1998, Pope John Paul II visited the temple where he shared with San Lázaro followers.
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