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Guatemala's mischievous saint

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    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • Guatemala's mischievous saint
    • A worshipper carries the statue of Maximon before dancing with it during a ceremony in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, 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.

      Maximon likes dancing, boozing, smoking, candles and money. Folk legend has it he liked to sleep with the wives while their husbands were at work in the fields.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • A "spiritual guide," left, spits alcohol at a worshiper's open mouth to perform a spiritual cleansing during the celebrations of Maximon in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Unlike other traditional benevolent saints in Latin America, Maximon, who at times looks more like a bandit than a saint, can grant both good and evil requests.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • 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, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Every year thousands of faithful make the pilgrimage to thank and pay their respects to Maximon, the mischievous saint whose roots are a confusing blend of pre-Hispanic beliefs and Christian rituals.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • Worshippers pray to folk saint Maximon during a ceremony in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes in exchange for good health, good crops and marriage counseling, amongst other favors.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • A worshipper prays in front of several statues depicting folk saint Maximon during his celebrations in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • Women rest after cooking for several hours for pilgrims attending folk saint Maximon's celebrations in San Andres Xecul, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • 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, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • Worshippers visit the chapel of folk saint Maximon in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • Candles with images of folk saint Maximon sit at his chapel in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • 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, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Maximon dresses elegantly and is always be seen wearing a smart hat, holding his cane and sporting a moustache.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP

    • Worshippers listen to a Mexican norteno music band outside the chapel of folk saint Maximon in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2013.

      Credit: Moises Castillo/AP