St. Blaise

In the early fourth century, a physician named Blaise became the Bishop of Sebastea in Armenia (known today as Silvas, Turkey). “The Acts of St. Blaise” gives us a rare biographical sketch of the man, and it attributes many healings and miracles to him — both during his life and through his intercession after his death. Because these “Acts” are of medieval origin, and many hundreds of years removed from the historical person, many are uncertain of their veracity.

            One story about St. Blaise credits him with helping wounded animals. To seek comfort, these beasts would travel from the woods to the place where Blaise lived. There, he would tend to their wounds and nurse them back to health.

            In another account, we are told of a woman who brought her son to Blaise. The boy had a fishbone stuck in his throat and was choking. Blaise prayed intensely to God for the child’s rescue, and the boy was saved from choking. The modern Christian tradition of praying to St. Blaise for healing of the throat and all other ailments is tied to this account.