Blaise the Hieromartyr of Sebastia
The Hieromartyr Blaise was known for his righteous and devout life. He was consecrated Bishop of Sebastia during the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian and Licinius, fierce persecutors of Christians. Saint Blaise encouraged his flock, visited the imprisoned, and gave support to the martyrs.
Many hid themselves from the persecutors by going off to desolate and solitary places. Saint Blaise also hid himself away on Mount Argeos, where he lived in a cave. Wild beasts came up to him and meekly waited until the saint finished his prayer and blessed them. The saint also healed sick animals by laying his hands upon them.
The refuge of the saint was discovered by servants of the governor Agrilaus, who gave orders to arrest them. Glorifying God, Saint Blaise followed the soldiers. Along the way, a destitute widow told him that a wolf had carried off a small pig, her only possession. The bishop smiled and said to her, “Do not weep, your pig will be returned to you.” To the astonishment of everyone, the wolf came running back and returned his prey unharmed.
Arriving before Agrilaus, the saint was subjected to fierce tortures. When they led him to the prison, seven women followed and gathered up the drops of blood. They arrested them and tried to compel them to worship the idols. The saints endured torments, strengthened by the grace of God. One of the women had two young sons, whom she entrusted to Saint Blaise. The seven holy women were beheaded.
The governor ordered that the martyr be thrown into a lake. He signed himself with the Sign of the Cross, and walked on the water as though on dry land. Addressing the pagans standing about on shore, he challenged them to come to him while calling on the help of their gods. Sixty-eight men of the governor’s retinue entered the water, and immediately drowned.
Agrilaus was in a rage over losing his finest servants, and he gave orders to behead Saint Blaise, and the two sons of the woman martyr entrusted to him. Before his death, the martyr prayed for the whole world, and especially for those honoring his memory. This occurred in about the year 316.