Saint Blaise was a shepherd from Caesarea of Cappadocia. During the persecutions of Christians, he voluntarily surrendered to the tormentors, who subjected him to cruel tortures. However, by the grace of God, he was healed from his wounds. The governor, seeing this miracle, ordered that the saint be thrown into a cauldron of boiling water, but Blaise remained unharmed and spoke to the people, as the angels of God protected him. Many soldiers who came for him also confessed themselves as Christians. The governor himself, seeing the saint in the water, scalded his face and died. Saint Blaise, having prayed to God, surrendered his soul to Him. Those present saw a dove flying above his body. His shepherd's staff, planted in the ground, grew into a huge tree that sheltered the altar of the church built over his relics.
