Saint Blaise's Feast Day

Saint Blaise's Feast Day honors Saint Blaise of Sebaste, a Christian bishop and martyr traditionally remembered as a protector against illnesses of the throat.

The observance is especially associated with the blessing of throats, usually with two candles held in the shape of a cross. In some communities, the feast also includes processions, special foods, folk costumes, and gatherings of families and parish communities.

• February 2 — Candlemas, when the candles used for the throat blessing may be blessed.
• February 3 — Feast Day of Saint Blaise and the principal day for the blessing of throats.

Protection of the throat — Saint Blaise is traditionally invoked because of the story that he healed a child who was choking on a fish bone.

Faith and healing — The throat blessing expresses a prayer for protection from illnesses of the throat and from other ailments.

Memory of a martyr — The feast also commemorates Blaise as a bishop and martyr whose witness became part of Christian devotion.

Saint Blaise is traditionally identified as a bishop of Sebaste in ancient Armenia and is associated with the early Christian period. Accounts of his life combine historical memory with later devotional traditions, including stories of healing, life in a cave, and martyrdom.

Devotion to Saint Blaise spread widely through Europe during the Middle Ages. The blessing of throats became one of the best-known customs connected with his feast, while individual communities developed their own processions, foods, and local celebrations.

At home — Families may share blessed or traditional foods, attend church together, and maintain local customs associated with Saint Blaise.

In worship — Priests, deacons, or other authorized ministers may offer the traditional blessing of throats, using two candles joined or held in a cross.

In public — Some communities organize processions, religious ceremonies, music, banners, folk costumes, and communal meals. Dubrovnik's celebration is particularly elaborate and is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

The celebration generally begins with Mass or another church service, followed by the blessing of throats. Where local festivities are more extensive, religious banners, statues or relics may be carried in procession, accompanied by clergy, musicians, community groups, and people in traditional dress. Families and communities may then gather for customary foods and social celebrations.

Dubrovnik, Croatia — The Festa of Saint Blaise is the city's major patronal celebration, featuring church ceremonies, a large procession, traditional costumes, banners, music, and other customs. The festivity is recognized on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Italy — Many communities mark San Biagio with throat blessings and locally distinctive foods. Customs include blessed bread, regional cakes, and, in parts of northern Italy, the tradition of eating a piece of panettone.

Spain and other communities — Local observances vary, with blessings of food, neck cords or ribbons, church services, and other devotional customs found in different areas.

• Blessing of the throat with crossed candles
• Blessing and sharing of food
• Processions with religious banners
• Traditional folk costumes
• Community and family meals
• Prayers for protection from throat ailments

Crossed candles — Represent the traditional throat blessing and are associated with stories surrounding Saint Blaise's healing and imprisonment.

Throat — Represents the particular form of healing and protection traditionally associated with the saint.

Bishop's vestments — Recall Saint Blaise's role as a Christian bishop.

Iron combs — Traditional representations of the instruments associated with his martyrdom and his patronage of wool workers.

Wild animals — Reflect legends describing Saint Blaise's life in a cave and his compassionate relationship with animals.

• Saint Blaise is traditionally counted among the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints especially invoked for protection and healing.
• The blessing of throats commonly uses two candles joined or crossed in the form of an X.
• The candles may be blessed on Candlemas, the feast celebrated the day before Saint Blaise's feast.
• Saint Blaise is traditionally regarded as a patron of throat ailments and is also associated with animals and wool workers.
• The Festivity of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik, has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Different communities have developed their own food traditions, including blessed breads, cakes, sweets, and other festive dishes.