Catholic devotees took part in processions across Latin America to celebrate the Day of the Holy Cross. The celebrations saw crosses heavily adorned with flowers, fruit and miniature statues depicting religious figures being paraded throughout the towns.
A masked performer takes part in a ceremony in honour of the Day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalavdorMarvin Recinos/ AFPA masked performer is armed with a costume knife and gun in the Day of the Holy Cross procession in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPA woman takes part in the 'Holy Child' aquatic procession across the Amatitlan Lake, GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFP
The festivities, which take place every year on 3 May, are rooted in the search for the cross that Jesus was crucified on. However, popular traditions have also connected the festival to pagan traditions that were brought in from Spain.
In El Salvador, Catholic men, women and children offered fruit to the Holy Cross in gratitude for the harvest obtained throughout the year. The holy day is known as Día de la Cruz and marks the beginning of the rainy season.
Known in Guatemala as Fiesta de las Cruces, the festivities see masked performers dance through the streets during the celebrations. Traditionally, construction sites are also adorned with colourful streamers and flowers, to show recognition for the work achieved so far, along with the workers' contributions to the country. In Amatitlan Lake, a procession takes place dedicated to the Holy Child of Atocha.
Masked participants come together on the Day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPA killing is enacted as part of the Day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPOfferings of fruit and flowers are part of the Day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPA cross adorned with flowers is carried through San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPA devotee takes part in the 'Holy Child' aquatic procession in GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFPThe procession is watched by people on the streets in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPA masked performer takes a moment's rest from the procession marking the Day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPA crucifix is carried by a woman joining the procession for the Day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPCatholic devotees take part in the 'Holy Child' aquatic procession across the Amatitlan Lake, GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFPA Pope-like figure dressed from a doll is part of the 'Holy Child' aquatic procession across the Amatitlan Lake, GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFPThe Catholic procession of the 'Holy Child' is held around the Amatitlan Lake, GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFPA man takes part in a ceremony in honor of the day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPChildren take part in the 'Holy Child' aquatic procession across the Amatitlan Lake, GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFPCatholics participate in festivities in honor of the day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, El SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFPCrowds build up to see the colourful procession being carried across the Amatitlan Lake, GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFPOfferings are placed on a float making its way across the Amatitlan Lake, Amatitlan, GuatemalaJohan Ordonez/AFPA marching band joins the festivities in honour of the day of the Holy Cross in San Juan Nonualco, south from San SalvadorMarvin Recinos/AFP
