Icon of St. Mark the Evangelist - 21st c. - 00STME01

Feast Day/Commemorated: April 25

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, also known as John Mark, was a pivotal figure in early Christianity, a nephew of Saint Barnabas and one of the Seventy Apostles. Born in Jerusalem, his mother Mary's house was near the Garden of Gethsemane, and Church Tradition recounts his presence during Christ's betrayal, narrowly escaping capture. After the Lord's Ascension, his mother's home became a vital gathering place and lodging for early Christians and Apostles. Mark developed close relationships with key Apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, embarking on missionary journeys with both. He traveled with Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus, witnessing Paul's blinding of the sorcerer Elymas, before returning to Jerusalem and later journeying to Rome with Peter.

Following his time in Rome, Saint Mark traveled to Egypt, where he was instrumental in establishing the local Church. His missionary endeavors were extensive, taking him to various regions including Antioch, Cyprus again with Barnabas, and then back to Egypt, where he and Peter founded numerous churches. He also journeyed to Babylon, from which city the Apostle Peter affectionately referred to him as his "son" in an epistle. Later, while Saint Paul was imprisoned in Rome, Mark, then in Ephesus with Bishop Timothy, joined Paul in Rome, and it was during this period, around 62-63 A.D., that he wrote his Gospel.

Mark's commitment to evangelism continued beyond Rome. He returned to Alexandria, Egypt, where he founded a significant Christian school that produced renowned Church Fathers and teachers like Clement of Alexandria. Driven by his zeal for Church services, he also composed a Liturgy for the Alexandrian Christians. His preaching extended to the inner regions of Africa, including Libya at Nektopolis. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he returned to Alexandria to confront paganism, famously healing Ananias's crippled hand, leading to Ananias's baptism and the conversion of many others in the city.

The growing number of converts, however, stirred the wrath of the pagans, who sought to kill Saint Mark. Aware of the danger, Mark wisely ordained Ananias as bishop and three other Christians as presbyters to ensure the continued leadership of the church after his anticipated death. The pagans eventually seized Saint Mark while he was serving the Liturgy, brutally beating and dragging him through the streets before imprisoning him. Strengthened by a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ in prison, he endured further suffering the next day as the angry crowd dragged him again. Saint Mark died en route to the courtroom, commending his spirit to the Lord.

The pagans' attempt to burn his body was thwarted by divine intervention—darkness, thunder, and an earthquake allowed Christians to recover his remains and bury them in a stone crypt on April 4, 63 A.D. His memory is celebrated on April 25. His relics were later transferred from Constantinople to Venice in 820 A.D. Saint Mark's Gospel, written for Gentile Christians, vividly emphasizes Christ's divine power, drawing heavily from Saint Peter's preaching. Symbolized by a lion in ancient iconography, representing Christ's might, Mark's Gospel highlights the power of God to achieve the humanly impossible and the Apostles' ability to perform miracles through Christ and the Holy Spirit, empowering them to preach the Gospel to all creation.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):