Thousands of Cubans are taking part in one of the island's most important religious rites, a pilgrimage to pay homage to Saint Lazarus at the El Rincon church. Some pilgrims weigh themselves down with blocks and stones to make their journey to the church, 25 kilometres outside of Havana, more arduous. Many Cubans regard Lazarus as a mix between the Catholic saint and the Afro-Cuban deity Babalu-Aye. Saint Lazarus, often represented as a beggar in rags, is believed to cure people of their skin ailments, paralysis, amputations and HIV/AIDS. Duration: 00:51
