Today, February 3, is the memorial of Saint Blaise.
Patron saint of people with throat and respiratory problems.
Blaise was said to have been born in what is now Turkey. His Acts narrate that he lived in a cave on Mount Argeus. He became popular as a physician of both men and animals. It was said that sick animals would come to him on their own, seeking a cure. These animals were many, but they never disturbed Blaise whenever he was praying.
In the year 316, Agricola, governor of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia, was ordered by Emperor Licinius to go to Sebastia and murder all the Christians. His huntsmen went searching for wild animals to use in arena games. As the men went to the forest, they found these wild animals standing outside Blaise’s cave. They found him praying and arrested him. Agricola forced Blaise to deny his faith to no avail. While in jail, he healed fellow prisoners. One incident saw him saving a child who choked on a fish bone.
Angered by Blaise’s Christian ways, the enemies threw him into the lake to drown. However, Blaise stood on the water and asked the men to walk on it to prove that their false gods were powerful. The men all drowned.
He was eventually martyred. He was beaten up. His flesh was torn with wool combs. He was then beheaded.