Very little is known about the life of Saint Blaise, yet devotion to him has spread widely throughout the Church. His feast has long been observed with great reverence, especially in Eastern Christian traditions, and for centuries the blessing of throats has been associated with his memory.

Saint Blaise was Bishop of Sebastea in Armenia and was martyred around the year 316 during a time of continued persecution in the region. Later accounts describe him as a devoted shepherd who cared deeply for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of his people. Forced to flee the city, he lived for a time in solitude, dedicating himself to prayer.

Tradition tells of his arrest after being discovered by hunters, and of a miracle attributed to him on the way to prison, when a child suffering from a fish bone lodged in his throat was healed through his prayer. This event lies behind the enduring custom of invoking Saint Blaise for protection against illnesses of the throat.

Blaise remained steadfast in his faith, refusing to renounce Christ despite severe suffering. He was eventually put to death for his witness, and is honoured as a martyr of the early Church.