Blasius

Blasius, St, Bishop of Sebaste, Cappadocia, suffered martyrdom in 316. At one period his cult must have been widely diffused, judging from the extent of territory over which his relics were scattered. The wool-combers claim him as their patron, the reason being that iron combs were used to tear his flesh. He is said, moreover, to have saved the only son of a rich widow from choking by a fish-bone; hence he is invoked in extracting a thorn or anything sticking in the throat. His day falls on 3d February.