Saint Mark the Evangelist

Saint Mark was the companion of the Apostle Paul in his journeys and labours, and the special disciple of the Apostle Peter. Mark was from Jerusalem, where the Saviour is said to have celebrated the Passover in his house.
This saint is John, called Mark, who is mentioned several times in the Acts of the Apostles, and who accompanied the apostles and shared in their journeys and preaching.

When Peter was preaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord in Rome, the faithful asked his disciple Mark to write down the Gospel his teacher was preaching to them. According to an ancient tradition, he then wrote the Gospel that bears his name, around the year 46, as he had received it from his teacher’s own lips, and addressed it to the Gentiles in Greek.

According to an ancient tradition, Saint Peter made his disciple Mark bishop of the city of Byblos (Jbeil). Mark then went to Egypt, where he preached the Gospel in several cities until the Holy Spirit led him to the Church of Alexandria, of which he was the first bishop. Through him many people came to faith in Christ.

In Alexandria Saint Mark founded a school that produced many scholars, pastors and martyrs, and whose tradition shaped great Fathers of the Church such as Saint Athanasius.

When the idol worshippers saw how successful Saint Mark was in bringing pagans to faith in Christ, they were enraged and plotted to kill him. While he was celebrating the holy mysteries on the glorious Sunday of Easter, they rushed at him, tied him with ropes and began dragging him through the streets of the city, saying:
“Let’s drag the ox to the stall!” His body was torn and the rocks were stained with his blood, while he thanked God for making him worthy to share in his sufferings. Then they threw him into prison… At midnight an angel of the Lord came to comfort and encourage him, and the Lord Christ appeared to him to strengthen him and congratulate him on the crown of martyrdom and glory. The next day they resumed their brutality until his pure soul departed to the dwellings of bliss. This was on April 25 in the year 68. The historic church of Byblos, which tradition dates back to the time of the apostles and which was restored by the Crusaders, is dedicated to Saint John Mark.

Prepared by Rita, of the Sawt el Rab team