CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY, FEBRUARY 03, 2010
Bishop Blase was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. The legendary Acts of St. Blasé were written 400 years later. According to them Blase was a good bishop, working hard to encourage the spiritual and physical health of his people. Although the Edict of Toleration (311), granting freedom of worship in the Roman Empire, was already five years old, persecution still raged in Armenia. Blase was apparently forced to flee to the back country. According to a legend, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blase’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. He was beheaded for not sacrifacing to pagan gods.
The Germans and Slavs hold him in special honor and for decades many United States Catholics have sought the annual St. Blase blessing for their throats.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=136
ST. BLASE
Bishop Blase was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. The legendary Acts of St. Blasé were written 400 years later. According to them Blase was a good bishop, working hard to encourage the spiritual and physical health of his people. Although the Edict of Toleration (311), granting freedom of worship in the Roman Empire, was already five years old, persecution still raged in Armenia. Blase was apparently forced to flee to the back country. According to a legend, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blase’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. He was beheaded for not sacrifacing to pagan gods.
The Germans and Slavs hold him in special honor and for decades many United States Catholics have sought the annual St. Blase blessing for their throats.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=136