Santiago riding down the waves

[Rosina Lila]

Christianity was brought by the Spaniards not only to Central and South
America, but also to North America: Mexico and what is now known as the Southwest
of the USA, which is why so many cities there are named after Saints:  Los
Angeles {Our Lady of The Angels), San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Antonio, San
Mateo, San Pedro, Corpus Christi, etc., etc., etc.
During their conquest of the original American peoples  the Spaniards did
invoke the help of Santiago, who transmuted from Matamoros (slayer of Moors), to
Mataindios (slayer of Indians); later,  during the 1810-1821 Mexican
revolution of independence, Santiago was invoked by the Mexicans as Santiago
Mataespanoles (slayer of  Spaniards).
Santiago is not, of course, the only saint that has been recruited to help in
some war effort or another;  the Apostle Andrew,  Saint Andrew, was the
warrior champion of the Scots when they sought their independence; he, too, rode a
white horse.  As everyone knows, Saint Andrew was killed in Greece by an irate
Consul-husband, for championing the right of women to say no.  Saint Andrew
was tied up spread-eagle like, to two trees and lingered  there until he died
three days later; the flag of Scotland shows a large "X" in honor of Saint
Andrew's martyrdom.
And, lest we forget, there is Saint George in full armor everywhere!
A few months ago the City of Santiago installed a new equestrian statue of
Santiago; it is located in Horreo Street in the gardens in front of parliament.
The statue is strikingly different: Santiago sits sidesaddle back to back
with himself, Juno like, presumably to welcome pilgrims coming from any
direction, the horse is a toy-like sweetie pie more like a lovely puppy than a war
mount.
Warm regards,
Rosina
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