Maximón, also called San Simón, is a Maya deity, narco-saint, and folk saint, represented in various forms by the Maya peoples of several towns in the Guatemalan Highlands. Oral tradition of his creation and purpose in these communities is complex, diverse, and born of the ancient Maya traditions centuries ago.
Maximón effigy and candles, Santiago Atitlán
Maximón and attendants, Santiago Atitlán
San Simón in Zunil, 2007
Folk saints are dead people or other spiritually powerful entities venerated as saints, but not officially canonized. Since they are saints of the "folk", or the populus, they are also called popular saints. Like officially recognized saints, folk saints are considered intercessors with God, but many are also understood to act directly in the lives of their devotees.
Gauchito Gil (left) and San La Muerte (right), two examples of Argentine folk saints
Image: Excideuil église vitrail choeur (7)
Image: Saint mabena
Image: St Michael, Stanton Harcourt, Oxon Shrine to St Edburg geograph.org.uk 1610457