<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Franklin Gothic Medium" LANG="0">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.<BR>
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).<BR>
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.<BR>
And, lest we forget, there is Saint George in full armor everywhere!<BR>
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. <BR>
Warm regards,<BR>
Rosina</FONT></HTML>