Lanzarote celebrated with great solemnity the feast of San Marcial del Rubicón, patron saint and co-patron of the Diocese of the Canary Islands, on the same day that marks 621 years since the founding of Rubicón in Lanzarote, the first Diocese of the Canary Islands. The Bishopric was established in the year 1404 by Pope Benedict XIII, at the request of Jean de Béthencourt.
At 7:00 p.m. and, despite not being a holiday in Lanzarote, many parishioners traveled to Femés to participate in the Eucharist, celebrated in the tent installed in the square next to the church with the permitted capacity full. The Eucharist was presided over by the priest Manuel Merchán Rodríguez, parish priest of the Santísimo Cristo Crucificado in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ordained a priest in 1975. The parish of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios de Yaiza was the first where Manuel Merchán exercised the priesthood, from 1975 to 1982, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Manuel was assisted by his colleagues Berto Martín, former parish priest of Yaiza and current parish priest in the Villa de Betancuria in Fuerventura; Juan Manuel Molina, parish priest of Teguise; Leonardo Graterol, parish priest of Tías, and Yonathan Almeida, parish priest of Yaiza.
The Solemn Eucharist included the participation of the parishioners in charge of the readings, also enlivening the songs appropriate for a very special celebration.
At the end of the Eucharist, the procession began, headed by the Yaiza Municipal Band, directed by Professor Giovanni Noda. This band was followed by the image of San Marcial del Rubicón, surrounded by priests, municipal and island authorities, and parishioners, who accompanied the procession.
In the vicinity of the church, the members of the Agrupación Folclórica Güerma de Puerto del Carmen were waiting, who offered the Patron Saint the most representative of the Canarian songs and dances, folias, seguillas, isa and saltonas. Their performance was highly applauded by the public.
Next, the image of San Marcial del Rubicón entered the church, where the Yaiza Choir, directed by Professor Nuvi Tavio, offered its offering with a selection of compositions appropriate for the occasion. As a reward, they received applause from the public, thus putting the finishing touch to a historic festival in honor of the Patron Saint of Lanzarote and Co-patron of the Diocese of the Canary Islands San Marcial del Rubicón.
