SAINT OF THE PUBLICANS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1934, Page 22

SAINT OF THE PUBLICANS

Few people'have heard of: St!, Blaise', yet he was. the most popular'saint-in1 England before the' Reformation, and is specially regarded as "the patfrctn of the mii. The Beriedictioriof St. Blaise, still given in Eoman Catholic churches,, is reputed, .to be effective j ; in throat trouble. ILegend'claims that St. Braise was a' bishop martyred in -the •third; century. His slyll and a., miraculous, crown, one of the most, beautiful "jewels in the world, are: preserved, in Ea'gusa r Dalmatia, 'a city'he saved from capture by a miracle. .Crowds o£ pilgrims go to Eagusa at the ■ beginning of .February ;.to take part in, the festival of St. Blaise^ held in' the/ancient Dalmatian city just as it was in England .in olden days. They still have the processions" pf relics, magnificent church services,,lotteries, and dancing as of yore. The '.only break ; in s the observance is the 'liberation ; of /'all prisoners in gaol.- St; Blaise still has a shrine in London, at a church at Hatton Garden,.^ where the blessing of ; St; Blaise- is given.:.". ;.,.;.. ~;..; ■.";