Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/194

 by its  able  confession  and  defense  attracted  the attention of  the  attendants  at  his  trial. The cruel tyrant had  him  bound  and  tortured  with  iron combs. After suffering  these  torments  with great patience  and  meekness,  the  saint  was  cast into prison. He was  kept  there  a  long  time, because the  prefect  hoped  to  exhaust  his  powers of endurance,  and  to  bring  him  to  sacrifice  to  the idols. His jailer  permitted  the  holjr  bishop  to receive  visitors  in  his  prison,  and  many  sick  and suffering availed  themselves  of  this  privilege. He cured  some  of  them  and  gave  good  advice  to others.

One day  a  mother  brought  to  him  her  boy,  who, while eating,  had  swallowed  a  fishbone,  which remained in  his  throat,  and,  causing  great  pain, threatened suffocation. St. Blase  prayed  and made the  sign  of  the  cross  over  the  boy,  and  behold, he  was  cured. For this  reason  the  saint  is invoked  in  throat  troubles.

At length  the  holy  bishop  was  again  brought before the  judge  and  commanded  to  sacrifice  to the  idols. But he  said:  "Thou  art  blind,  because thou  art  not  illuminated  by  the  true  light.  How can  a  man  sacrifice  to  idols,  when  he  adores  the true  God  alone?  I  do  not  fear  thy  threats.  Do with  me  according  to  thy  pleasure.  My  body  is in  thy  power,  but  God  alone  has  power  over  my soul.    Thou  seekest  salvation  with  the  idols;  I