matamoros

Spaniards often associated st. james as a warrior in the fights against the Moslems with the title of matamoros (slayer of the moors!). his crusading spirit accompanied the Spanish soldiers on their journey to the new world and into the villages of new mexico where his memory is especially revered in the area around santa cruz. It is said that Santiago appeared at least fourteen times in the battles between Spaniards and Indians in the new world. In 1974, archbishop Roberto sánchez, the first Mexican-american bishop of santa fe, new mexico, chose the feast of Santiago for his Episcopal ordination.