On the occasion of the celebration of Santa Anna's festivity, a mass was celebrated in Benidorm last night in the Parish Church that bears his name, along with that of the patron saint of the city, Sant Jaume.
The first deputy mayor, Ana Pellicer, attended the religious act together with the Councilor for Fiestas, Jesús Carrobles, other representatives of the Municipal Corporation and the national deputy, Agustín Almodóbar. The queens of the Festes Majors Patronals, Aila Merenciano and Chloe d'Hebboudt along with their courts of honour were present; and the presidents of the Comissió and the Associació de Penyes 'Verge del Sofratge', José Vicente Fuster and Adrián Romero.
After the religious act, at Plaça de Sant Jaume, a tasting of orgeat, slushies and sweets were offered to withstand the heat that has reigned throughout the day.
An ancient tradition that dates back to the 2nd century attributes the names of Santa Anna and Sant Joaquim to the parents of the Virgin Mary. Both saints are considered patron saints of grandparents, a fundamental part of the family, which is why July 26 is considered in some countries with Christian roots, such as ours, Grandparents' Day.