Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, St. Blaise was put to death under Licinius in 316. In the holy wars his relics were dispersed over the West, and his veneration was propagated by many miraculous cures, especially of sore throats. He is the principal patron of the commonwealth of Ragusa. No other reason than the great devotion of the people to this celebrated martyr of the church seems to have given occasion to the wool combers to choose him the titular patron of their profession.