Feast day: 25 April
Saint Mark
Sanctus Marcus
Companion of Peter and Paul who wrote the shortest and earliest Gospel and, by tradition, brought the faith to Alexandria where he died a martyr.
- Born
- 1st century, traditionally Jerusalem
- Died
- c. AD 68, Alexandria, venerated as a martyr
- Canonization
- Venerated as evangelist and martyr since the early Church.
- Country
- Holy Land and Egypt
Biography
John Mark of Jerusalem
The Acts of the Apostles names him John Mark, son of a Mary whose house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for the first Christians. He accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey, left them at Perga, and later was reconciled: Paul asks for him in 2 Timothy 4:11 as 'useful to me for ministry'.
Interpreter of Peter
Papias of Hierapolis, writing early in the second century, states that Mark became Peter's interpreter and wrote down accurately what he remembered of the Lord's words and deeds. Peter himself calls him 'my son Mark' (1 Peter 5:13). His Gospel is rapid, vivid and full of concrete detail.
Alexandria and Venice
Eusebius records the ancient tradition that Mark preached in Egypt and founded the Church of Alexandria, of which the Coptic Patriarchs count themselves successors. In 828 Venetian merchants brought relics venerated as his to Venice, where the Basilica of San Marco was built to house them.
Timeline
- ~c. AD 46 — Sets out with Paul and Barnabas
- ~c. AD 60s — Writes his Gospel from Peter's preaching in Rome
- ~c. AD 68 — Martyred at Alexandria
- 828 — Relics translated to Venice
Dates marked ~ are traditional or debated among historians.
Symbols
Winged lion — His Gospel begins with the voice crying in the wilderness; emblem of Venice.
Scroll or book — The written Gospel he gave the Church.
Virtues & spiritual lessons
Humility after early failure, faithful service to greater apostles, and courage in mission. Mark shows that a second chance can bear lasting fruit.
Importance in the Church
Most scholars regard his Gospel as the earliest written, used as a source by Matthew and Luke, and it preserves the preaching of Peter with unique immediacy.
Quotes
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:15
Writings
The Gospel according to Mark — The shortest Gospel, generally held to be the first written, centred on the mystery of the Son of God revealed on the Cross.
Prayers
Collect of Saint Mark
O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Roman Missal, 25 April.
Places
Basilica of San Marco, Venice — Byzantine basilica built for his relics from 829 onwards.
Saint Mark's Coptic Cathedral, Alexandria — Seat of the Church he is said to have founded.
Related saints
Entries are drawn from the Roman Martyrology, the General Roman Calendar, canonization records of the Holy See, and the saints' own writings. Where a date, quotation or attribution is uncertain, it is marked as such. (63 saints)