San Pantaleon

The patron saint of Berchules is San Pantaleon. He was born in Nikomedia (now Turkey) and, after living in the fast lane as a renowned doctor, he was converted to Christianity and dedicated himself to serving the poor. On 27th July 305, at the age of 29 he was decapitated for refusing to denounce his faith. Miracles surround him; all manner of means were used to kill him, from molten lead to stones and spears, but to no avail until he voluntarily offered his head. Then an olive tree sprung up on the spot and a paraplegic started moving again. There is a vial of his blood, in a solid state, in a monastery in Madrid looked after by nuns. Every year on 27th July the blood liquefies and neither science nor faith can account for it. On bad years, such as the beginning of the two world wars, the blood stayed liquid for longer. Who knows how long it will be liquid this year?

Here in Berchules San Pantaleon is revered beyond belief. Even agnostics follow his procession through the streets every 27th July; if a miracle is required San Pantaleon is beseeched; if a miracle has occurred San Pantaleon is rewarded. Emotion comes to the surface and there is weeping, wailing, joy and jollity. Everyone has some reason to celebrate or request a favour. The strangest way of doing this is based on a strong tradition: you have to let off rockets when the procession passes your doorway. The more rockets you let off the more likely your request is to be granted or the greater the demonstration of your gratitude. When you hear of families spending up to a thousand euros on rockets for the saintly procession you have to wonder whether there was not some vested interest in a fireworks factory perhaps. Or is it just a question of noise; it’s not a good fiesta if there’s not a lot of noise to go with it.