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AGUASCALIENTES, M\u00e9xico (AP) \u2014 There\u2019s a corner in central Mexico<\/a> where much revolves around a revered saint. The neighborhood\u2019s name? Saint Mark’s. The name of the local Catholic church? You guessed it, St. Mark’s.<\/p>\n It’s no wonder then that the area’s most renowned event is the Fair of Saint Mark \u2014 a monthlong celebration that starts every year in mid-April, attracting tourists for its bullfighting and musical events<\/a>.<\/p>\n Last year, 10 million visited the city of Aguascalientes, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) northwest of Mexico City, the country\u2019s capital. But the crowds on Friday were there for something more than just the fair. They came to honor Saint Mark, also known as Mark the Evangelist and celebrated in Christianity as one of Jesus\u2019 12 original disciples.<\/p>\n Rev. Abel Carmona, who leads Masses and processions on April 25, when Catholics observe St. Mark’s Day or the Feast of Saint Mark, says that \u201ceven if the fair\u2019s original purpose was commercial and agricultural, a religious sense was later added to it.\u201d<\/p>\n He says the fair now promotes knowledge about St. Mark, whose relics are kept in Venice<\/a>, Italy, where the landmark St. Mark\u2019s Basilica is located.<\/p>\n The neighborhood was founded in 1620 as the settlement of \u201cIndios de San Marcos\u201d (St. Mark\u2019s Indians) by Spanish missionaries who built a small church.<\/p>\n A fair was first held in November 1828 in a nearby village, mainly for farmers to offer their merchandise. But after a beautiful garden was constructed close to St. Mark’s church 20 years later, authorities decided to host the fair in St. Mark\u2019s, ahead of the saint\u2019s feast day.<\/p>\n Jodie Altamira, 35, grew up in the neighborhood and now helps organize processions and a bazar at the church during the fair, which she says it has been part of her identity, both as a resident of Aguascalientes and a Catholic.<\/p>\n Over the years, Carmona and Altamira grew concerned about the fairgoers’ excessive alcohol consumption and now are working to spark a different, healthier ambiance. This year, the neighborhood hosted three lectures about St. Mark\u2019s and the church\u2019s history.<\/p>\n Carmona said this year was special because the community also marked what is known as \u201cthe defense of the temple.\u201d<\/p>\n It commemorates a fraught time in the 1920s, when then-President Plutarco El\u00edas Calles planned to set up a Mexican \u201cschismatic\u201d church, independent from Rome. In February 1925, St. Mark\u2019s church was taken by priests loyal to Calles but the local residents staged a rebellion and eventually got their beloved temple back.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a heroic defense,\u201d Carmona said. \u201cAnd it was significant because it led to Calles giving up on his idea of founding a Mexican church.\u201d<\/p>\n Carmona celebrated Mass throughout the day on Friday. Afterward, a concert was to follow and a procession before sunset.<\/p>\n \u201cOur procession is a public manifestation to say that \u2018Saint Mark\u2019 is not just a pagan fair,\u201d Altamira said. \u201cIt\u2019s how we celebrate the saint who brought us to Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Hern\u00e1ndez reported from Mexico City.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP\u2019s collaboration<\/a> with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n