St. Blaise, a 4th-century bishop and martyr, is best known as the patron saint of throat ailments. According to tradition, he was a physician before becoming the bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He is said to have miraculously healed a boy choking on a fish bone, leading to his association with throat diseases. Blaise was arrested for his Christian faith during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Licinius. After enduring torture, he was beheaded. His feast day, February 3rd, often includes the Blessing of Throats, where a priest places two crossed candles on individuals’ throats, asking for protection from illness.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has decreed that this is a Holy Day of Memorial (Optional) to be observed in Canada.