Saint Blaise

Blaise was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, in present-day Turkey, and died as a martyr around 316, during the persecution under the emperor Licinius. Very little is known for certain about his life, but ancient accounts describe him as a physician before he became bishop, and as a shepherd of souls who hid in a cave during persecution, where wild animals came to him for care.

The best-loved story tells how, while he was being led to prison, a mother brought him her son who was choking on a fishbone; Blaise prayed over the boy and he was healed. For this reason Christians have long asked his help against illnesses of the throat. After being tortured with iron combs, he was beheaded. His cult spread widely in both East and West, and he became one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers venerated in the Middle Ages.

On his feast the priest touches the throat of each person with two crossed candles, praying that through Saint Blaise's intercession they may be delivered from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.

San Blas is the patron of Paraguay and of Dubrovnik in Croatia. In many Spanish towns people bring roscos or rosquillas de San Blas, small ring-shaped breads, to be blessed and eaten for good health.