The Diocese of Phoenix on Feb. 3 celebrated the Feast Day of St. Blaise.

St. Blaise lived in what is now Turkey and died in the year 316. He was a physician, to whom many healing miracles are attributed, and later became the bishop of Sebastia. He is the patron saint of sufferers of throat diseases, as well as wild animals and wool combers, according to Britannica.com.

“Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Blaise, patron saint for relief of throat ailments," the Diocese of Phoenix said in a Facebook post. "Ora pro nobis!”

Much of what is known about St. Blaise comes from “Acts of St. Blaise,” which was written 400 years after his death. In 316, Blaise had to flee persecution and began living as a hermit in the backcountry, where he befriended wild animals. One day a group of hunters came upon Blaise’s cave, where he was praying, surrounded by wolves, lions and bears. The hunters were frightened and took Blaise to prison. While they were on the way, legend says that they encountered a mother and her young son, who was choking on a fish bone that had lodged in his throat. Blaise commanded the boy to cough up the bone, and he did. The governor of Cappadocia tried to get Blaise to sacrifice to pagan gods, but he refused, so Blaise was suspended and tortured with iron combs before being beheaded, according to Franciscan Media.

Blaise gained popularity in the Middle Ages. His feast day is celebrated every year on Feb. 3, according to Catholic.org.

"Four centuries give ample opportunity for fiction to creep in with fact," Franciscan Media said. "Who can be sure how accurate Blaise’s biographer was? But biographical details are not essential. Blaise is seen as one more example of the power those have who give themselves entirely to Jesus. As Jesus told his apostles at the Last Supper, 'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you,' (John 15:7). With faith we can follow the lead of the Church in asking for Blaise’s protection."