A queue stands at the center aisle of the altar in churches every February 3. The faithful await for the Sacramental Rite to be administered by the priest. The priest rests two long candles in the form of a Saint Andrew’s cross on the neck, prays for the intercession of Saint Basil to heal sore and other throats ailments believers.
Bishop of Armenia
Saint Blaise is one of the popular medieval saints. He had a good Christian education and became a doctor. He was ordained and appointed bishop of Sebaste in Armenia (Sivas, Turkey).
He became the only representative of the Armenian Church in Rome. The people loved him for he did not only cure ailments and comforted the sick. He also healed their spirits.
On February 313 AD, after Emperor Diocletian stopped persecuting Christians, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which decreed religious toleration. It was signed by Constantine and Licinus. However, Emperor Licinus continued to persecute Christians.
Saint Blaise left and settled on a cave outside Sebastea. Alone, he spent hours on his knees, praying. Animals frequent the caves, especially the sick ones, for seemingly he cured them of their ailments. Even those with bestial instincts were attracted to him. So, his cave in Mount Argeus became a recluse for animals, as well.
Faithful to the Church
One day, huntsmen looking for wild animals to be used in arena entertainment, discovered his abode, and took him.
On the way, Saint Blaise met a woman with her son whose life was in danger because of a fishbone stuck on his throat. The saint healed the boy, as noted by Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI, in Year of the Saints.
Told to give up his faith he repeatedly refused, so he was condemned to death.
In Sebastea, where he was imprisoned while awaiting death, a woman whose pig was returned to her by a wolf, brought him two candles to lessen the gloom of his dark cell, according to Saints and Angels.com.
His flesh was torn using wool combs before he was beheaded. His feast day is February 3 in the Western Churches and February 11 in Eastern Churches.
Saint Blaise is the patron saint of veterinarians. During his lifetime, cattle with foot and mouth diseases were healed after taking water that he blessed.
He is also the patron saint of wax makers and people who are associated with the wool industry.
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Damo-Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna, and of Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons