(A.D. 316.)
[Roman and Western Martyrologies. Commemorated by the Greeks on
Feb. 11th, in some ancient Martyrologies, on Feb. 15th. The Greek
Acts, of which there are four versions, are modern, and deserve
little regard.]
Blasius, Blase, Blayse, Blays, or Blaise, was bishop of Sebaste, a
city of Cappadocia, in the Lesser Asia. He spent a great part of his
time in retirement on a hill not far from the city, whither he
withdrew, after the duties of his office were finished, to be alone
with God. During the persecution of the Christians in the reign of
Diocletian, he lay concealed for some time in this retreat; but was at
last taken and brought before Agricolaus, the governor of the
province, and confessing himself a Christian, was thrown into prison.
After enduring many tortures, he received the crown of martyrdom in
the beginning of the fourth century. Some historians refer this event
to the year 316, under the reign of Licinius. Seven holy women and two
young children suffered at the same time. The Acts of his martyrdom
are so untrustworthy that it is not possible to state any further
particulars which are authentic. The Council of Oxford, A.D. 1222,
prohibited servile labour on this day. Its observance in England was
marked by several curious ceremonies. Among others a taper used to be
offered at High Mass; and it was lately the custom in many parts of
England to light bonfires on the hills on S. Blaise's night. Some have
affirmed that these usages arose from an absurd pun on the Saint's
name (sc. "blaze"); but this seems clearly erroneous, as they are not
peculiar to England. In some parts of Germany, S. Blaise's Day is
called "Little Candlemas Day," because of the bonfires that it was
usual (for an uncertain reason) to kindle on that night. At Bradford,
Yorkshire, a festival is holden every five years in memory of S.
Blaise.
In the Greek paintings, S. Blaise is depicted as an old man with a
pointed beard. In Western art he appears in the vestments of a bishop;
his peculiar emblem is an iron comb, such as is used by wool-combers,
which is said to have been an instrument of his torture. Owing,
probably, to this reason, he has been esteemed the patron of
manufacturers of wool, and that trade in the city of Norwich still
observes his day, or did so until lately. S. Blaise is also frequently
represented as surrounded by wild beasts, or birds are bringing him
food; the text, Job v. 23, which occasionally accompanies these
emblems, indicates that, in his case as in that of other saints, by
long continuance in a solitary course of life, the denizens of the
wood had become accustomed to the Saint's presence. Sometimes again,
S. Blaise has a swine's head at his feet, typical of his victory over
the sensual desires of the flesh. Finally, he occasionally holds in
one hand, or has borne before him by a chorister, a lighted taper,
typical of his being "a burning and a shining light."
[Illustration: S. BLAISE. From Cahier. Feb. 3.]