Saint Martha of Bethany is a biblical figure mentioned in the Gospels of John and Luke. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus visits the home of Martha and her sister Mary. In the Gospel of John, Martha and Mary are mentioned in connection to the raising from the dead of their brother of Lazarus and the anointing of Jesus in Bethany.
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus on July 29. The municipality of As Neves (Las Nieves) in Galicia, Spain, which has a church dedicated to Saint Martha, hosts an annual festival in her honor, known as the festival of Santa Marta de Ribarteme or the festival of near-death experiences.
Every year, people who have had a near-death experience come to As Neves to express their gratitude to Saint Martha and participate in a bizarre but festive procession. At ten in the morning on July 29, thousands of spectators line the streets of As Neves as pilgrims climb into coffins. These coffins are then carried by their friends and relatives throughout the town to celebrate the victory of life over death. The procession is headed by an image of Saint Martha.
Once the parade reaches the church of Saint Martha, a solemn mass is served. Since the church is rather small and thus unable to accommodate all the pilgrims and spectators, the crowd outside can listen to the service through loudspeakers. After the service, the procession walks to the local cemetery and than returns to the church, where those who have survived a near-death experience make offerings to Saint Martha.
As with many religious observances, the festival of Santa Marta de Ribarteme is a combination of solemnity and celebration. While pilgrims chant religious hymns, musicians play their instruments and vendors sell local delicacies, including octopus cooked in copper cauldrons. The procession and mass are followed by festivities in the streets of As Neves and nighttime firework displays. During the celebration, people sing and dance, and pilgrims who have survived a near-death experience share their stories with the crowd.
The festival of Santa Marta de Ribarteme is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. If you decide to attend it, we suggest that you plan your trip in advance, since As Neves is a small town that attracts thousands of visitors during the festival, so accommodation may be hard to find.
Photo: JOSE-MARIA MORENO GARCIA
