Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

April 25

Saint Mark is the author of the earliest Gospel and the founder of the Church in Alexandria, one of the most important centers of early Christianity.

John Mark

Mark appears in the New Testament under his full name, John Mark. He was likely a Jewish Christian from Jerusalem; tradition identifies his mother's house as the location of the Upper Room where the Last Supper took place.

Companion of the Apostles

Mark had close connections to the early Church's greatest leaders:

With Barnabas and Paul: Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey but turned back at Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). This caused a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, leading them to separate (Acts 15:37-39). Later, Paul was reconciled to Mark, writing: "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry" (2 Timothy 4:11).

With Peter: Mark became closely associated with Peter. In his first letter, Peter refers to "Mark, my son" (1 Peter 5:13). Ancient tradition holds that Mark's Gospel preserves Peter's preaching—the memoirs of Peter set down in writing.

The Gospel of Mark

Mark's Gospel is the shortest and likely the earliest of the four Gospels, probably written in Rome between AD 65-70. It is characterized by:

• Action and urgency: The word "immediately" appears frequently
• Vivid detail: Suggesting eyewitness testimony
• Focus on Jesus' deeds: Miracles and healings are prominent
• The suffering servant: Mark emphasizes the cross

Mark's Gospel may have been written for Roman Christians facing persecution under Nero, encouraging them to follow a Messiah who himself suffered.

Founder of the Alexandrian Church

According to tradition, Mark traveled to Alexandria in Egypt and founded the Christian church there. He became its first bishop and was martyred during the reign of Emperor Nero, dragged through the streets of Alexandria.

Legacy

The Church of Alexandria became one of the great centers of Christian learning, producing theologians like Clement and Origen. The Coptic Orthodox Church claims Mark as its founder, and his relics were venerated in Alexandria before being taken to Venice in the 9th century.

Mark's symbol is the lion, representing the royal dignity of Christ and the courage of the evangelist who proclaimed him.