They say he was once a doctor

but that caring for souls attracted him more and he came to be a bishop.

This doctor-turned-bishop, however, was still a healer. They said that he once even miraculously cured a boy who was choking to death.

But he cared little for his own neck.

Blaise, Bishop of the town of Sebaste, was martyred near the beginning of the 4th century. He is remembered every year on this day by the blessing of throats.