Many people today head to churches
to have their throats blessed on the occasion of the feast of Saint Blase,
bishop and martyr. St Blase lived in the 4th century and was a physician, and
bishop of Sebastea (modern Sivas, Turkey). He was martyred by being beaten,
attacked with iron carding combs, and beheaded. In iconography, Blase is often
shown with the instruments of his martyrdom, steel combs. The similarity of
these instruments of torture to wool combs led to his adoption as the patron
saint of wool combers in particular, and the wool trade in general. St Blase is
also painted in the majestic Last Judgment by Michelangelo in the Sistine
Chapel, placed close to St Sebastian and St Catherine.
St Blase, in red vestment behind St Catherine and St Sebastian |
He may also be depicted
with crossed candles. Such crossed candles are used for the blessing of throats
on the feast day of Blase, the day after Candlemas on the Roman Catholic
calendar of saints. Blase is traditionally believed to intercede in cases of
throat illnesses. He was particularly remembered for dislodging a fish‑bone in
the throat of a young child, a miracle just before his death which led to many
invoking prayers to him for protection of all throat ailments.
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