St. Blaise (died 316)

ST. BLAISE is one of the early Church’s most popular and enduring saints . . .

St. Blaise

Feast Day: February 3
Canonized: Pre-Congregation

Blaise, who studied philosophy in his youth, became a physician in Sebastea, Armenia (modern-day Sivas, Turkey), where he was born. He exercised his practice with tremendous skill and piety. When the local bishop died, Blaise was chosen to succeed him. People flocked to see him, seeking cures for body and spirit.

In 316, the governor of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia began persecuting Christians under the order of Emperor Licinius. Blaise was seized and interrogated. As he was led to prison, a mother set her only son, who was choking on a fish bone, at his feet. The child was cured. Unable to get Blaise to renounce his faith, the governor had him beaten and, according to the Acta Sanctorum and other sources, had him scourged with iron wool combs and beheaded.

Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, is the patron of throat ailments, choking, veterinarians, wild animals, builders, infants, wool workers, carvers, and stonecutters. On his feast day, a blessing is given with two consecrated candles for protection from infections of the throat and all other afflictions. Blaise is one of the 14 Holy Helpers, a group of saints venerated by the Church because their intercession is believed to be particularly effective.

TIM DRAKE is Legatus magazine’s editorial assistant.