1. Saint Blaise
February 3rd

2. The Patron Saint Blaise
The word 'Patron' describes holy and virtuous men and women who look after a special group of people or a country.
There are two categories of Saints: Martyrs and Confessors. A martyr is a Saint who is put to death for his Christian faith.

3. The Story and History of Saint Blaise
Blaise was a clever doctor who became Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He was persecuted by Agricola, the famous Roman general, who ordered Blaise to give up his faith. When Blaise refused, he was thrown into prison where he helped sick prisoners and saved a child who was choking on a fish bone. Blaise refused to give up his faith and was tortured by having his flesh torn with wool combs. He was finally beheaded on the orders of Agricola.

4. Why is Saint Blaise the Patron of Throat problems and the Wool trade?
St. Blaise saved a child from choking and was tortured with wool combs used to tear off his flesh.

5. Feast Day of Saint Blaise
The Feast Day of Saint Blaise is February 3rd
The origin of Feast Days: most Saints have specially designated feast days on a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the Saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths. On this day the people also celebrated the Saint’s birth into heaven.

6. Death of Saint Blaise Date of Death: Saint Blaise died in A.D. 316.
Cause of Death: Beheaded.

7. The Blessing of Throats
On the day after the Presentation of Our Lord, it is customary in many places to bless the throats of the faithful with two candles tied together with a red ribbon to form a cross.

8. The priest places the candles around the throat of whoever seeks the blessing, saying:
“Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you free from every disease of the throat. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. Response: “Amen.”

9. How St. Blaise is represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Blaise in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic creations reflect the life or death of Saints or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Blaise is represented in Christian Art with an iron comb.

10. Test your knowledge! Where was St. Blaise the bishop of?
What is he the patron saint of?
When is the feast of St. Blaise?
How did he die?
When did he die?

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