The Iglesia Maradoniana (literally Church of Maradona or Maradonian Church) is a parody religion, created by fans of the late Argentine footballer Diego Maradona, whom they believe to be the greatest of all time.
| Iglesia Maradoniana (Church of Maradona) | |
|---|---|
 A Maradonian graffito. | |
| Abbreviation | IM/CoM |
| Type | Christian-style movement |
| Orientation | Sport-themed parody religion |
| Scripture | Yo soy el Diego de la gente[1] |
| Region | Argentina |
| Founder | Héctor Campomar Alejandro Verón Hernán Amez |
| Origin | 30 October 1998 Rosario, Argentina |
The Church was founded on October 30, 1998 (Maradona's 38th birthday) in the city of Rosario, Argentina by three fans (Héctor Campomar, Alejandro Verón and Hernán Amez).[2] It could be seen as a type of syncretism or as a religion, depending on what religious definition one chooses to use. It was said by Alejandro Verón, one of the founders: "I have a rational religion and that's the Catholic Church and I have a religion passed on my heart and passion and that's Diego Maradona."[citation needed] Supporters of the Church, supposedly from all parts of the world, count the years since Maradona's birth in 1960 with the era designation d. D. (Spanish: después de Diego, lit. 'after Diego').
They also use D10S for Maradona since it fuses Dios ("God") and 10, the number on Maradona's jersey.[3] The church has expanded to other countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Japan, Afghanistan, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay and the United States, among many others.[4][5] In Spain, for example, it is believed that there are more than 9,000 followers.
Ten Commandments
editThe "Ten Commandments" of the Iglesia Maradoniana are:[6]
- The ball is never soiled.
- Love football above all else.
- Declare unconditional love for Diego and the beauty of football.
- Defend the Argentine shirt.
- Spread the news of Diego's miracles throughout the universe.
- Honour the temples where he played and his sacred shirts.
- Don't proclaim Diego as a member of any single team.
- Preach and spread the principles of the Iglesia Maradoniana.
- Make "Diego" your middle name.
- Name your first son "Diego".
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "La Iglesia de Dios". Diario Olé (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ^ Selhi, Myriam (November 9, 2017). "Church of Maradona: Worshipping a (Former) Demi-God With Unusual Athletic Abilities". Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ Vidal Bueno, Jorge. Dios es argentino. Nacionalismo cultural argentino y Maradona. Repositorio académico de la Universidad de Chile. Consulted on 11 October de 2016.
- ^ Iglesia Maradoniana festeja cumpleaños de su 'dios'. Terra Networks.
- ^ Amarás a Maradona sobre todas las cosas Revista KienyKe. Consultado el 23 de noviembre de 2016.
- ^ The Guardian, Diego Maradona - 'He was sent from above', 11 November 2008.
