The domed church of St. Blasien Cathedral, completed in 1783, bears the name of the bishop and martyr Blasius. This was the will of the church's builder, Prince-Abbot Martin Gerbert. Benedictine monks came to this Black Forest valley in the 9th century and brought relics of St Blasius with them. As a result, the parish and municipality bear the name of this saint.
St Blasius comes from Sebaste in Armenia. Today the city is called Sivas and belongs to Turkey. Blasius was bishop in his home town from the year 308. He died as a martyr during the last persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire in 316. Blasius was a very popular doctor, became a Christian and was then elected bishop of the parish in Sebaste. These are the verifiable historical facts about Blasius.