Maximón

Aquí tenemos ese problema, discúlpeme, tengo que parar.

Porque si usted era sacerdote de Maximón.

O si usted era un cucurucho consagrado.

No dijeras.

I wanted to visit the Church of Santiago Apostle, which is one of the most significant religious sites in the highlands.

It's where Maximon, the local version of Maximon, the folk saint, is kept for part of the year.

The church itself is plain on the outside, but beautiful inside, with painted wooden ceilings and old colonial details.

I spent a while sitting in the pews, letting the quiet wash over me.

A few women came in to light candles and kneel in prayer.

A man was arranging fresh flowers in front of one of the altars.

After the church, I walked down toward the cofradia, a traditional Maya religious house, to see if I could catch a glimpse of Maximon.

In Santiago, the effigy is housed in a different home each year, and it's a living tradition.