St. Blaise was a Christian bishop and martyr of the 4th century, known for his role in healing the sick and his miraculous protection of children from throat diseases. He is revered as the patron saint of those suffering from ailments of the throat, and his feast day on February 3rd is celebrated with the traditional "Blessing of Throats."
St. Blaise was born in Sebaste, a city in ancient Armenia (modern-day Sivas, Turkey), during the 3rd century. Little is known about his early life, but he is believed to have been a physician before becoming a Christian bishop. In some accounts, he was known for his deep piety and wisdom, and he cared for the sick, especially those suffering from various ailments. His medical knowledge, combined with his unwavering faith, made him a respected figure in the community.
As bishop, St. Blaise continued his ministry with great fervor. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Licinius, Christians were heavily persecuted, and many were martyred for refusing to renounce their faith. St. Blaise was arrested for his Christian beliefs, and he was subjected to severe torture under the order of the Roman authorities. Despite the cruel treatment, he remained steadfast in his faith, showing great courage in the face of death.
According to tradition, while Blaise was imprisoned, a woman brought her son to him, who was choking on a fishbone. Through St. Blaise’s prayers, the boy was miraculously healed, and this event contributed to his later patronage of throat ailments. As a result, he is widely invoked for protection against illnesses of the throat, including strep throat and other respiratory conditions.
St. Blaise’s martyrdom came when he was sentenced to death by beheading around 316 AD, during a time of intense persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire. Before his death, he reportedly forgave his persecutors and maintained his faith in Christ. His final words, according to tradition, were an exhortation to stay strong in the Christian faith.
St. Blaise is often depicted with two crossed candles, as he is known for performing miraculous healings with the use of candles. The "Blessing of Throats," performed on his feast day, involves the priest holding two crossed candles over the heads of the faithful while offering prayers for protection from throat and other illnesses.
In addition to his role as the patron saint of throat diseases, St. Blaise is also invoked for protection from wild animals, as one legend tells of him calming a savage wolf that was terrorizing a town.
His martyrdom and miracles made him one of the most beloved saints of the early Church, and he was venerated in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions. His feast day on February 3rd has been celebrated for centuries, and St. Blaise remains a powerful intercessor for all those in need of physical healing and spiritual strength.