iently bearing adversity, by suppressing our
evil inclinations, by suffering injustice without retaliating evil for
evil, by using every opportunity of performing deeds of charity, by
devoting ourselves unremittingly to our daily duties, by carefully
guarding our tongue, etc. Examine yourself whether you have not often
denied your Faith, if not in words, through your works.

_Prayer of the Church_

O GOD, who dost rejoice us by the merits and intercession of Thy blessed
martyr George; graciously grant that we, who through him implore Thee
for Thy bounty, may receive thereby the gift of Thy grace. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.

II

St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr

LEGEND

ST. BLASE was born at Sebaste, Armenia. He became a physician, but at
the same time devoted himself zealously to the practice of his Christian
duties. His virtuous conduct gained for him the esteem of the Christian
clergy and people to such a degree, that he was elected bishop of his
native city. Henceforth he devoted himself to ward off the dangers of
soul from the faithful, as he had hitherto been intent on healing their
bodily ills. To all, he was a shining example of virtue.

During the reign of Emperor Licinius a cruel persecution of Christians
broke out. The persecutors directed their fury principally against the
bishops, well knowing that when the shepherd is stricken the flock is
dispersed. Listening to the entreaties of the faithful, and mindful of
the words of Our Lord, "When they shall persecute you in this city, flee
into another" (_Matt._ x. 23), St. Blase hid himself in a cave. But one
day the prefect Agricola instituted a chase, and his party discovered
the holy bishop and brought him before their master.

St. Blase remained steadfast in the Faith, and 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 holy 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