St. Mark

Feast Day: April 25

“Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15

St. Mark the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of Mark, is honored as one of the four Evangelists and as a companion of the apostles. His feast day, celebrated on April 25, commemorates his role in spreading the Gospel and preserving the life and teachings of Christ for generations.

A Companion of the Apostles

Mark, also known as John Mark, was a disciple of the apostles and a companion of St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition holds that much of his Gospel is based on Peter’s firsthand accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on missionary journeys but later focused his ministry closely alongside Peter, serving the early Church in Rome and beyond.

Author of the Second Gospel

Mark’s greatest contribution to Christianity is the Gospel that bears his name, the shortest and most action-oriented of the four Gospels. It emphasizes the deeds of Jesus, His authority, His miracles, and His suffering.

His Gospel is believed to be the earliest written, serving as a foundation for the later Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Founder of the Church in Alexandria

According to ancient tradition, Mark traveled to Alexandria, Egypt, where he founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the earliest and most significant centers of Christianity.

Through his preaching and leadership, Mark helped establish a strong Christian community in North Africa, which became a flourishing center of Christian learning and faith.

A Martyr for Christ

Mark was eventually martyred in Alexandria around 68 A.D., dragged through the streets until his death because of his fearless proclamation of the Gospel.

His relics were later brought to Venice, Italy, where St. Mark’s Basilica was built in his honor, and he became the patron saint of Venice.

Patron of Notaries, Writers, and Venice

St. Mark is the patron saint of notaries, writers, and the city of Venice, symbolized by the winged lion, which represents courage and the power of the Gospel.

A Witness to the Power of the Word

St. Mark’s life reminds the faithful that proclaiming the Gospel—in word, writing, and witness—is a sacred calling. His example continues to inspire evangelists, writers, missionaries, and all who seek to share the message of Christ.

St. Mark the Evangelist, pray for us!