I left my mark on Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is the name of the pyramids and subsequent ruins represent a lost civilization which many scholars believe predated even the Aztecs. This highly religious society build its city about 25 miles from current Mexico City.  Although the Aztecs are certainly the more famous of the two civilizations, it was actually the Teotihuacan who influenced the Aztecs. Although ancient civilization seems...well..ancient and irrelevant the truth is that the Pre-Conquest influence is still very prevalent in Mexico today.

In front of the Pyramid of the Sun,
I climbed this!

Yesterday I went with Jonathan, the kids, and my friend Aní to the pyramids.  Aní, who is quite knowledgeable about many of the legends and tales of the gods related to Teotihuacan was kind enough to fill me in on several stories. From a distance the pyramids just look like hills but soon you realize that those hills were not formed from erosion but are a testament to the hardwork and labor of men thousands of years ago. This particular city is thought to have been built about 1st century A.D.

Although the ruins are run by the government, there are no government regulations against actually climbing the pyramid. So we climbed it! Let me tell you, there is no way this would ever be allowed in the United States. There is a rope to help guide up the steep, uneven stairs and it would be all too easy to slip and fall.

Old Woman making her pilgrimage to the top

There were several groups of people there dressed in all white who were there to actually worship. For people who believe in New-Age Animism these pyramids are still a place of worship.  People walk around with palms up towards the sky trying to receive energy form the Earth. Very interesting. For some most a place of history and ruins, for other a holy site.

Basking in the very center of the
 Pyramid of the Sun!

We began climbing the pyramid and about halfway up we took a moment to catch our breath. I sat down for a moment to take in the scenery. It was breathtaking. Seeing the valley of the old city laid out before me and the smaller but not less grander Pyramid of the Moon to my right. Suddenly I felt quite sick.  Thankfully there was a trash can nearby but there is not delicate way to put it. I threw up on the holy pyramid. Yes, I  desecrated part of an ancient place of worship but in my defense they didn't need to make the steps so steep. Thankfully everyone else who was climbing was too out of breath to notice me by the trash can.  So after I recovered we continued on. Finally making it to the top, it was an incredible 360 degree view of the valley, the mountains and the city in the distance.

The View from the Avenue of the Dead
 to the  Pyramid of the Moon

We ascended the pyramid and walked out onto the Avenue of the Dead. It is called this because when the Teotihuacan used to conquer neighboring peoples they would line up the prisoners of war all along the Avenue of the Dead leading all the way up to the top of the Pyramid of the Moon and sacrifice each person one by one. Their society was built on the belief that blood sacrifice was required for the sun to rise.

After the Pyramid of the Sun we went to lunch. It was a restaurant in a cave! Pretty exciting...I've never eaten in a cave before.

At the Temple of Quetzcoatl

Our next stop was the Temple of Quetzcoatl, the main temple at Teotihuacan. It sits across a large field, surrounded by lots of old ruins.  Apparently this was also the place where they used to play Juego de pelota (literally translated Game of the Ball), a game where they bounce the ball off their hip to get it through a hoop high off the ground.

The artwork was incredible. Everything carved from huge chunks of stone and in some place some of the old color could still be seen, giving you a glimpse of the old splendor. The last stop was the Pyramid of the Moon. It is difficult to imagine standing a place where thousands were sacrificed for the sake of a false faith.  It makes me even more thankful that I serve a God who sacrificed himself instead of requiring the blood of others to atone for my sins.

Image of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Rain God
side by side in the market place

Although aesthetically beautiful and historically impressive, spiritually it was a sobering place to be. To see dozens of people there to worship false gods, unaware of the freedom in Christ.  The most striking feature for me was not the pyramids, it was the syncretism. The fusion of the ancient pagan beliefs and Catholicism. There is nothing really odd about worshiping at the Pyramids on Monday after attending Mass on Sunday. Even though this ancient people and their religion is considered part of history it has not really died.

Pyramid of the Moon, the site of human sacrifice

Please continue to pray for the people here and the ministry. The country is still 97% Catholic and the pagan belief still has a hold of many people's hearts.