Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark

Life and ministry

Saint Mark is identified in the Acts of the Apostles as John, surnamed Mark. He was a relative of Saint Barnabas, and the home of his mother Mary in Jerusalem was a gathering place for Christians. Mark became a close companion of the Apostles Peter, Paul, and Barnabas. He traveled with Paul and Barnabas through Cyprus and witnessed the event at Paphos described in Acts. He later went to Rome with Peter, labored in Egypt, met Paul again, and accompanied him to Rome. In his First Epistle, the Apostle Peter calls Mark his son, expressing their spiritual closeness.

The Gospel and Church tradition

According to Church tradition, Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome around 62–63. Ancient Christian writers connect its concise and vivid account with the preaching of the Apostle Peter. The Gospel was written for Christians from among the Gentiles and highlights Christ’s words and deeds that reveal His divine power. It proclaims God’s power to accomplish what human strength cannot and calls the disciples to preach the Gospel throughout the world. Church tradition also relates that Mark established a local Church in Egypt, began a Christian school in Alexandria, and composed a Liturgy for the Christians there.

Why he is venerated

The Church venerates Mark as a faithful herald of the Gospel, an apostolic coworker, and a martyr. Church tradition says that in Alexandria he preached Christ, baptized many people, and appointed ministers for the Christian community. While serving the Liturgy, he was seized by pagans and, after severe suffering, died. In ancient iconographic tradition, Mark is represented by a lion, a sign of the strength and royal dignity of Christ. His feast calls Christians to receive the Gospel attentively and to serve the Church with steadfast faithfulness, especially by caring for communities newly formed in faith.

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