San Lazaro/Babalu-Aye/Azojuano

San Lázaro, also known as Saint Lazarus, is a revered figure in both the Catholic and Yoruba traditions, particularly in syncretic practices like Santería. In these traditions, San Lázaro is syncretized with the Orisha Babalú-Ayé, who is associated with healing, disease, and affliction.

Description

San Lázaro is typically depicted as an old man dressed in tattered clothing, leaning on crutches, and often accompanied by dogs. This imagery reflects his association with suffering, illness, and the marginalized. In the Christian tradition, he is linked to the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man from the Gospel of Luke, which portrays him as a poor, sick man covered in sores, who receives comfort in the afterlife.

In the Yoruba and Santería traditions, Babalú-Ayé (syncretized with San Lázaro) is a powerful Orisha who governs diseases and healing. He is invoked for protection against illness and to seek cures for various ailments. Babalú-Ayé is also associated with smallpox, leprosy, and other infectious diseases.

Colors

The colors associated with San Lázaro/Babalú-Ayé are typically white, black, and purple. These colors symbolize his role in healing and his connection to both life and death.

Attributes and Symbols

San Lázaro/Babalú-Ayé's symbols include:

• Crutches: Representing his ability to endure and overcome suffering.
• Dogs: Symbolizing loyalty and protection, often depicted licking his wounds.
• Earthenware vessels and dried beans: Used in rituals to invoke his healing powers.
• Brooms: Representing the sweeping away of illness and negativity.

Benefits of Receiving San Lázaro/Babalú-Ayé

Receiving the blessings of San Lázaro/Babalú-Ayé offers numerous benefits, including:

1. Healing and Health: He is a powerful deity for those seeking cures and protection from diseases. His blessings can bring physical healing and relief from ailments.
2. Protection: San Lázaro/Babalú-Ayé offers protection against illnesses and epidemics, safeguarding his devotees from harm.
3. Comfort and Relief: For those who are suffering, his presence brings comfort, strength, and resilience, helping them endure and overcome their hardships.
4. Compassion for the Marginalized: He is a patron of the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, emphasizing compassion and care for those in need.
5. Spiritual Cleansing: Rituals dedicated to him often involve purification and the removal of negative influences, promoting overall well-being.

Worship and Offerings

Worship of San Lázaro/Babalú-Ayé involves offerings and rituals that reflect his healing and protective nature. Common offerings include:

• White wine, grains, and roasted corn: Foods that are symbolic of health and nourishment.
• Candles in white, black, and purple: To honor his colors and invoke his presence.
• Garlic, onions, and other pungent items: Believed to ward off disease and negative energies.
• Statues or images of San Lázaro: Often placed on altars as focal points for prayer and offerings.
• Coconuts and palm oil: Traditional offerings in Yoruba and Santería practices.

Rituals are often conducted on his feast day and involve prayers, songs, and dances that invoke his healing powers.

Feast Day and Festivals

San Lázaro's feast day is celebrated on December 17th in the Roman Catholic tradition. In Cuba and other regions where Santería is practiced, elaborate festivals and processions take place to honor him. Devotees often make pilgrimages, offer prayers, and engage in rituals seeking his blessings and healing.

Syncretism

In Santería, San Lázaro is syncretized with Babalú-Ayé, blending Catholic and Yoruba religious practices. This syncretism reflects the cultural and spiritual fusion that characterizes Santería, where saints and Orishas are venerated together, often in the same rituals.

Summary

San Lázaro, syncretized with Babalú-Ayé, is a central figure in both Catholic and Yoruba traditions, revered for his healing powers and protection against disease. His blessings bring health, protection, comfort, compassion, and spiritual cleansing. Devotees honor him through specific rituals and offerings, recognizing his essential role in providing healing and support to those in need.