Saint Blaise

February 3, we celebrate the feast of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of the sick, one of the fourteen holy helpers, physician, Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and martyred under Licinius.

Saint Blaise was born into a rich noble family, in Armenia, where he trained as a physician. His piety and charity, as well as his ministry to the ill, led to his being appointed Bishop of Sebaste (Armenia), shortly after the Edict of Tolerance was passed by the Roman Emperor.

While this edict allowed the free religious practices of Christians, the implementation of the edict was slow to arrive in Armenia, and Saint Blaise was at risk of persecution.

Warned in a dream by the Lord, Saint Blaise fled the city, journeying deep into the wilderness, living as a hermit, and befriending the wild animals that dwelled there. According to legend, sick animals would come to him on their own for help but would never disturb him at prayer.

Agricola, governor of Cappadocia, came to Sebaste to persecute Christians. His huntsmen went into the forests of Argeus to find wild animals for the arena games, and found many waiting outside Blaise’s cave.When they found Saint Blaise, he was kneeling in prayer in a cave, surrounded by sick and dying wild animals, all waiting patiently for him to finish.

Blaise was arrested, and Agricola tried to get him to recant his faith. While in prison, Blaise ministered to and healed fellow prisoners, including saving a child who was choking on a fish bone; this led to the blessing of throats on Blaise’s feast day.

Thrown into a lake to drown, Blaise stood on the surface floating and invited his persecutors to walk out and prove the power of their gods; they drowned.

When he returned to land, he was martyred by being beaten, his flesh torn with wool combs (which led to his association with and patronage of those involved in the wool trade), and then beheading.

He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He is invoked for all throat afflictions, and on his feast two candles are blessed with a prayer that God will free from all such afflictions and every ill all those who receive this blessing.

Prayer

Hear, O Lord, the supplications your people make under the patronage of the Martyr Saint Blaise, and grant that they may rejoice in peace in this present life, and find help for life eternal.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Saint Blaise, pray for us.