03:24Pious pups - Worshippers dress up canine companions for blessings on St Lazarus Day in Masaya
Nicaraguan pet lovers brought their dogs in various costumes to bless them on Saint Lazarus Day in Santa Maria Magdalena church, in Masaya, on Sunday.
Footage features a competition in the presence of dogs from different breeds, colours and sizes with costumes consisting of different colours. People could also be seen taking pictures of them during the ceremony.
Bringing her dog to the competition, a local dog owner Martha Ibarra expressed her feeling about her dog's victory stating: "We feel happy. The family is happy that he won. We have always participated out of habit and tradition that we have had because of a faith that we live and because of the miracles that he has done in one of our puppies."
Taking part in the ceremony, devotees ask for good health for their pets and attend mass in honour of the saint. The church always experiences a number of dogs dressed in hats, gala dresses and outfits. This is an annual pilgrimage which is deeply seated in this Central American country and is marked prior to Holy Week.
Locals consider the activity to be highly significant as it creates a link between popular religious beliefs and indigenous heritage in Nicaragua.
03:24Note: Music at source may be a subject to copyright restrictions
Nicaraguan pet lovers brought their dogs in various costumes to bless them on Saint Lazarus Day in Santa Maria Magdalena church, in Masaya, on Sunday.
Footage features a competition in the presence of dogs from different breeds, colours and sizes with costumes consisting of different colours. People could also be seen taking pictures of them during the ceremony.
Bringing her dog to the competition, a local dog owner Martha Ibarra expressed her feeling about her dog's victory stating: "We feel happy. The family is happy that he won. We have always participated out of habit and tradition that we have had because of a faith that we live and because of the miracles that he has done in one of our puppies."
Taking part in the ceremony, devotees ask for good health for their pets and attend mass in honour of the saint. The church always experiences a number of dogs dressed in hats, gala dresses and outfits. This is an annual pilgrimage which is deeply seated in this Central American country and is marked prior to Holy Week.
Locals consider the activity to be highly significant as it creates a link between popular religious beliefs and indigenous heritage in Nicaragua.