© Dhani Borges
The locals are very devoted to the patron of the city—Saint Sebastian and annually his holiday, the 20th of January, is celebrated with big festive processions that usually pass the streets of Tijuca, the Center, and the Glory. Moreover, not only Catholics celebrate it, but also the followers of the Candomble and Umbanda religions in which Saint Sebastian is known as Oxossi. The official story says that Saint Sebastian became the patron of Rio because it was a tribute to Don Sebastian, the Portuguese king that helped the locals to found the city and expel the French. Saint Sebastian is one of the militant Christian saints and a martyr who is celebrated with great pomposity.
