On the Feast of St. Blase

From the Martyrology:

This Blase was chosen Bishop of the city of Sebaste in Armenia, in which place he enjoyed a great reputation for virtue. When Diocletian began to make the Christians the objects of his insatiable cruelty, the Saint hid himself in a cave on Mount Argaeus, where he lay till he was found by some of the soldiers of Agricolaus the Governor, who were out hunting. He was brought before the Governor, who commanded him to be thrown into irons. While he was in prison, Blase healed many of the sick, who were brought to him on account of his reputation of saintliness, and among others a boy who had been despaired of by the physicians, and who at the point of death, from a thorn which had become fixed in his throat. Blase appeared twice before the Governor, but neither cajolements nor threats could induce him to sacrifice to the gods. He was first beaten with rods, and afterwards put on the rack, where his flesh was mangled with iron combs. At last his head was cut off, whereby he finished a noble testimony to the faith which is in Christ our Lord. He bore witness on the 3rd day of February.

Patron of Dubrovnik, wild animals, candlers, and all those who suffer from illness of the throat, and one of the fourteen holy helpers, Blaise is one of my favorite saints.

Here he is pictured as special patron of the city of Dubrovnik. Catholics recieve a special blessing for their throats on his feast:

Through the intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.