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Commemorating St. Mark on his Feast Day

April 25^th is the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist, who is the author of the second and shortest Gospel of the Holy Bible. He was born as a Jew named John Mark. His mother was Mary, who owned the house Cenacle at Jerusalem where the first Christians of the time used to meet. This was where St. Peter the Apostle sought refuge after his imprisonment. Mark, who was quite young when Christ was crucified, was baptized and mentored by St. Peter.

As his mother’s house gradually grew into a church over the years, Mark became acquainted with its traditions. He accompanied his cousin St. Barnabas and St. Paul during their first missionary journey to Antioch. But it is believed that he left them halfway and returned home as he was too immature to handle the hardships such a journey entailed. On their second such journey, Barnabas wanted Mark to go with them, but Paul was against it and this caused a strain in their relationship. Barnabas and Mark subsequently went on a missionary journey by themselves to Cyprus. Later, when St. Paul was held captive by the Romans, Mark offered him invaluable service, which was greatly appreciated by the former and this healed any animosity they had with each other.

Relationship with St. Peter and Gospel Writing

Mark later became a close companion of St. Peter- he was the latter’s secretary, disciple and interpreter. It is believed that Mark witnessed St. Peter preaching in Rome. This and/or his intimate association with the head of the Apostles influenced Mark’s Gospel. He has focused more on the miraculous power of the Savior, but also pays special attention to St. Peter, which is evident from the detailing of events that involve the latter. It also presents the life of Christ in a chronological order. Mark’s Gospel originated in Rome and is thus addressed to Roman Christianity.

Later Life and Death

Even though a lot of his later life is unknown, it is believed that he was martyred during his tenure as the Bishop of Alexandria in Egypt, when he was dragged through the streets by non-believers with a rope around his neck. His holy remains were brought back from Alexandria to Venice, Italy and St. Mark’s Basilica was erected to protect his tomb. St. Mark continues to be the patron saint of Venice.

St. Mark the Evangelist is represented by the symbol of a winged lion and is often pictured as a man holding a book, possibly his Gospel or a scroll or as a bishop on a throne decorated with lions.