St. Blaise, Bishop, Martyr
February 3
St. Blaise, bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, suffered among other torments that of flaying with a wool-combers’ brush under Licinius, and was finally beheaded (317).
In the Eleventh Century, there were thirty-five churches dedicated to him in Rome. He saved the life of a child who was dying choked by a bone. In consequence, he is petitioned especially for healing all diseases of the throat. The church blesses two candles and prays for all those whose necks the candles shall touch that they are delivered from diseases of the throat and every other evil. (Extracts from Father Lasance Missal)