Order of Saint Blaise

The Order of St. Blaise was founded in Armenia in the 12th century and takes its name from Saint Blaise, patron of the kingdom. It was divided into religious, who were charged with the holy offices and missionary work among the unbelievers, and the fighters, who defended the country against the attacks of the Muslims. It rendered great services for a century and only disappeared when Armenia was conquered by the Turks.

The name has also been used by various pseudo-chivalric orders and in games such as Vampire: The Eternal Struggle.

According to Thomas Robson (The British Herald, 1830), the order was also called the Order of St. Bass.

Bibliography

• La Grande Encyclopedie s.v. Saint-Blaise (Ordre de).