St Blaise of Sebasate

Patron Saint of throat illnesses, physicians, animals, wool combers, Dubrovnik (Croatia).

Feast Day: February 3rd

Martyr, Bishop, and Religious

Sebaste, Armenia

Public Domain: Initial G: Saint Blaise by Master of the Murano Gradual via Getty Museum.

Feast Day: February 3rd

Martyr, Bishop, and Religious

Sebaste, Armenia

About

Saint Blaise (d. 316) was a bishop and martyr from Sebaste in Armenia, remembered for his holiness, healing, and courage. Originally trained as a physician, Blaise devoted his medical knowledge and compassion to serving others before becoming a shepherd of souls as bishop. During the fierce persecution of Christians under Emperor Licinius, Blaise retreated to a cave, where he lived a life of prayer and asceticism. Many came to him for healing, and numerous miracles were attributed to his intercession, including curing wild animals and tending to the sick. He is most famously remembered for saving a young boy who was choking on a fishbone. This miracle is why Saint Blaise became associated with blessings of the throat and protection from illnesses. Eventually, he was arrested for his Christian faith and suffered martyrdom around 316 A.D.

Legacy

Saint Blaise’s legacy continues through the Blessing of the Throats, a sacramental celebrated on his feast day, February 3rd. Priests hold two crossed candles against the throat of the faithful, invoking his intercession for protection from throat illnesses and other ailments. His witness as a physician, bishop, and martyr highlights the unity of faith and healing. Churches worldwide honor him as a patron of those suffering from throat problems and other health concerns. In Dubrovnik, Croatia, devotion to Saint Blaise is especially strong, where he is venerated as the city’s patron and protector. His enduring reputation as a holy healer makes him one of the most beloved saints of the early Church.

“Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.” — Traditional Blessing of the Throats