364. Lump in My Throat: SAN BLAS in Ivory

SAN BLAS (St. Blaise), the bishop-martyr of Sebaste, in Armenia, is not familiar to many Filipinos, except perhaps in Sebaste (yes, namesake of the bishop’s episcopal see!), Antique, or in Bangar, La Union and Villasis, Pangasinan, two municipalities with barangays named ‘San Blas’.

Apparently, in Pampanga, a prominent family from Guagua are devotees of San Blas, as they keep an exquisite ivory figure of the saint invoked against throat diseases, that has afflicted some members in their clan.

This ivory santo belonged to a couple who ran a successful popular and successful meryendahan in the town. They often lent their image unselfishly to people in the community with various throat issues, who, after touching the revered image, crossed themselves on the neck as they pray for relief.

According to a legend , San Blas saved a boy who had a fish bone stuck in his throat-- just one of the many miracles that he wrought. That led to him being adopted as the Patron Saint of people with throat ailments.

When the childless couple passed away, the image was bequeathed to a niece, an unamarried public school teacher. She cared for the image until she retired and passed away just this year, ahead of her remaining elder sister.  As of yet, the next caretaker of San Blas has not been named.

Typical of many classically carved santos, this San Blas has a manikin body, but has been redressed, his original bishop’s vestments now long gone. His most common iconography includes a mitre (also replaced) and a crozier. Other depictions of him in art includes an iron comb—an instrument of his torture, and a candle, in reference to a candle brought to him in jail. Images of him holding a martyr’s palm are rare.

The feast of San Blas is celebrated every February 3.

 MANY THANKS TO : MR. JERRY PUNZALAN SAGMIT for the information and photos.