The city of Arrecife dressed up to celebrate the festivity of its Patron Saint, San Ginés Obispo. At 12 noon, the ringing of the bells announced the beginning of the Solemn Religious Function, with the three naves of the temple packed with parishioners. Those who arrived a little later were able to follow the Eucharist from the square, thanks to a large screen installed for the occasion.
This year, the church organization placed the authorities in the left nave and the parish choir in the right nave, leaving the central nave exclusively for the parishioners. The Eucharist was presided over by Diego Hernández Rodríguez, a native of Moya in Gran Canaria and Rector of the Diocesan Seminary of San Carlos and San Ambrosio in Havana, Cuba. He was assisted by Juan Carlos Medina, titular parish priest of San Ginés; Alejandro Carmona, parish priest in Casillas del Ángel in Fuerteventura; Carlos María Marrero, parish priest of the parishes of the Southern Cone in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; and Daniel Romero, a deacon native to the parish of Santa Elena in Playa Honda, Lanzarote.
The songs were performed by the Parish Choir, directed by Professor José Juan López. The Solemn Religious Function culminated with the singing of the “Hymn to San Ginés”, in which the entire assembly participated, ending with cheers and applause.
Next, the procession began, headed by the Music Band “La Unión Musical de Lanzarote”, directed by Professor Pepe Artiles, followed by the image of San Ginés Obispo, an 18th-century carving made in Havana, Cuba. The celebrating priests, civil and military authorities, presided over by the president of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Astrid Pérez, and the parishioners together walked the main streets of Arrecife. Upon returning, the Holy Patron Saint was received with fervor and devotion by all those present.
