Archaeologists dig for St Vlas’ tomb in Turkey. He was the Bishop of Sebasta in the IVth century and a martyr for Christ during the persecutions of emperors Diocletian and Licinius.
In the Turkish province of Sivas, experts are digging to find St Vlas’ tomb, according to Daily Sabah. The Orthodox Church honors the saint on Februrary 11.
Also known in the West as St Blaise, or Blazey, the saint lived during the persecutions ordered by the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Licinius (307-323). Tradition says he was ordained by his predecessor, Saint Eustratius, while the latter was imprisoned for his Christian faith and was to be martyred.
St Vlas was found in the wilderness by hunters who announced governor Agricola. When the soldiers came to take him to torture, he blessed them and joyfully went towards the death. He was martyred in 316, together with seven Christian women and two of their children.
The saint is considered as a protector of pregnant women and domestic animals. As he cured a child who was choking on a fishbone, he is also seen as a healer of neck wounds and diseases of the throat.
Photo credit: IHA Photo
