Saint Blaise was a bishop in Armenia in the fourth century. Many legends grew up around his memory. One story is about healing a boy who had a fishbone lodged in his throat. In the blessing of throats crossed candles are used, in the shape of St Andrew's cross. The use of candles is probably associated with the blessing of candles on 2 February, the day before the feast of St Blaise
This is the origin of the custom of blessing throats on his feast day. The boy’s mother is said to have brought Blaise food and candles when he was imprisoned, he was taken prisoner at the command of the governor, Agricolaus. The hunters of the governor found him in the wilderness in a cave to which he had retired and while in prison he performed a wonderful cure of a boy who had a fishbone in his throat and who was in danger of choking to death. After suffering various forms of torture St. Blasius was beheaded....In many places on the day of his feast the blessing of St. Blasius is given: two candles are consecrated, generally by a prayer, these are then held in a crossed position by a priest over the heads of the faithful or the people are touched on the throat with them. In other places oil is consecrated in which the wick of a small candle is dipped and the throats of those present are touched with the wick. Its observance in England was marked by curious ceremonies. Among others, a taper used to be offered at high mass; and it was until lately the custom in many parts of England to light bonfires on the hills on St. Blaise's Night. |
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