10 de Febrero
La Pila neighborhood, Comitán de Domínguez
Saint Caralampio arrived in Comitán around the year 1850, brought by a soldier named Otero. This soldier carried with him a historic novena dedicated to the martyr Caralampio. On its cover was an image of the saint kneeling, a Roman soldier with a scimitar in hand ready to behead him, and the Redeemer above, depicted in a cloud.
Don Raymundo Solís, a resident of the La Pila neighborhood, read the novena and became a devoted admirer of the martyr. He asked the soldier to sell it to him. Don Raymundo then painted a picture replicating the novena’s cover, took it to his ranch Tzeltón, located near the town, and declared Saint Caralampio the Patron of the place.
At that time, a plague had invaded Comitán—smallpox and cholera were wreaking havoc. By coincidence, in the place where the saint was venerated, not a single case of these diseases was reported. In Comitán, however, deaths occurred in great numbers. As a result, Saint Caralampio was named special protector against the plague and contagious airs.
Once the epidemic subsided and peace returned to the town, the residents of La Pila formed a committee, and Don Raymundo donated a piece of land. On that site, the first foundations of the temple were laid in 1852, and its construction was completed in 1855.
Today, on February 10, the pilgrimage to Saint Caralampio takes place. People from all over Comitán and the surrounding ranches gather at El Chumís to participate, and from there they set out toward the temple.
It is the largest and most splendid “Entrance of Flowers” in the region. Heralding the joyful celebration are devils, skeletons, giants, Comanches, and masked dancers who perform in front of the temple. Bells ring out, fireworks explode in the sky, and the dancers leave their offerings before entering the sacristy, where they are offered a refreshing traditional drink made with temperante.
In the plaza before the temple, the air fills with the sound of drums and flutes, marimbas, ringing bells, and fireworks—a vibrant expression of faith and festivity that brings Comitán to life every year.
Don Raymundo Solís, a resident of the La Pila neighborhood, read the novena and became a devoted admirer of the martyr. He asked the soldier to sell it to him. Don Raymundo then painted a picture replicating the novena’s cover, took it to his ranch Tzeltón, located near the town, and declared Saint Caralampio the Patron of the place.
At that time, a plague had invaded Comitán—smallpox and cholera were wreaking havoc. By coincidence, in the place where the saint was venerated, not a single case of these diseases was reported. In Comitán, however, deaths occurred in great numbers. As a result, Saint Caralampio was named special protector against the plague and contagious airs.
Once the epidemic subsided and peace returned to the town, the residents of La Pila formed a committee, and Don Raymundo donated a piece of land. On that site, the first foundations of the temple were laid in 1852, and its construction was completed in 1855.
Today, on February 10, the pilgrimage to Saint Caralampio takes place. People from all over Comitán and the surrounding ranches gather at El Chumís to participate, and from there they set out toward the temple.
It is the largest and most splendid “Entrance of Flowers” in the region. Heralding the joyful celebration are devils, skeletons, giants, Comanches, and masked dancers who perform in front of the temple. Bells ring out, fireworks explode in the sky, and the dancers leave their offerings before entering the sacristy, where they are offered a refreshing traditional drink made with temperante.
In the plaza before the temple, the air fills with the sound of drums and flutes, marimbas, ringing bells, and fireworks—a vibrant expression of faith and festivity that brings Comitán to life every year.
