Mark the Evangelist Facts for Kids

"Saint Mark" redirects here. For other uses, see Saint Mark (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Saint Mark the Evangelist
Detail from a window in the parish church of SS Mary and Lambert, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk, with stained glass representing St Mark the Evangelist
Evangelist, Martyr
Born	c. 12 AD Cyrene, Pentapolis of North Africa, according to Coptic tradition
Died	c. 68 AD (aged c. 56) Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire
Venerated in	All Christian churches that venerate saints
Major shrine	St Mark's Basilica (Venice) Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (Alexandria)
Feast	25 April (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Julian Calendar date) 30 Parmouti or 8 May (Coptic Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Gregorian Calendar date)
Patronage	Barristers, Venice, Egypt, Copts, Mainar
Major works	Gospel of Mark (attributed)

Mark the Evangelist (also known as John Mark) is a very important figure in Christian history. He is traditionally believed to have written the Gospel of Mark, which is one of the four gospels in the Bible.

According to early Church traditions, Mark founded the first major Christian community in Alexandria, Egypt. This city became one of the most important centers for early Christianity. His special day, called a feast day, is celebrated on April 25. Mark's symbol is the winged lion.

Who was Mark the Evangelist?
Stories and beliefs about Mark
Honoring Saint Mark
Mark in art
Important churches dedicated to Saint Mark
See also

Who was Mark the Evangelist?

Mark the Evangelist's symbol is the winged lion. This lion is also a symbol of Venice. The words say: PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEVS ("peace be upon you, Mark, my evangelist").

Many people believe that Mark the Evangelist is the same person as John Mark. John Mark is mentioned in the Bible in the book of Acts. He was a cousin of Barnabas, another important early Christian leader.

Some early Christian writers, like Hippolytus of Rome, thought there might have been different people named Mark. However, the most common belief is that Mark the Evangelist and John Mark are the same person.

According to ancient records, Mark traveled with Peter, one of Jesus's main disciples. Mark wrote down Peter's teachings and sermons. This is how the Gospel of Mark is believed to have been created.

After some time, Mark traveled to Alexandria, a big city in Egypt. He started the first Christian church there. This church grew into the Coptic Orthodox Church and other Christian groups in Egypt today. Mark became the first bishop (leader) of the church in Alexandria. He is honored as the person who brought Christianity to Africa.

Later traditions say that Mark was killed in Alexandria in AD 68. This happened because people who followed older religions did not like his efforts to spread Christianity.

Stories and beliefs about Mark

Early Christian writers like Papias of Hierapolis wrote about Mark's role in writing the Gospel. Many scholars today still study these early accounts.

The Coptic Church believes that Mark the Evangelist was one of the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus to share his message. They also believe that the Last Supper and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost happened in Mark's house. Some traditions even say that Mark was one of the servants at the Marriage at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine.

Coptic tradition also says that Mark was born in Cyrene, a city in North Africa. It is believed that he returned to this area later in his life. When he came back to Alexandria, he was killed by people who opposed his Christian teachings. They dragged him through the streets until he died.

Honoring Saint Mark

The special day for Saint Mark is April 25. This day is celebrated by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates it on a different date in their calendar, which usually matches May 8 on the modern calendar.

In some traditions, if John Mark is seen as a different person from Mark the Evangelist, John Mark's day is September 27. Mark the Evangelist's day remains April 25.

Mark in art

In art, Mark the Evangelist is often shown writing or holding his gospel. His most famous symbol is the winged lion. This lion is often shown with a book that says "Peace be upon you, Mark, my evangelist."

The lion symbol is sometimes linked to Jesus's Resurrection. This is because lions were thought to sleep with their eyes open, which was compared to Christ in his tomb. The lion also represents Christ as a king.

Sometimes, Mark is shown as a bishop on a throne decorated with lions. He can also be shown helping sailors from Venice. Other images show him with a rope around his neck, remembering his death. He is also sometimes shown rescuing Christian slaves.

Depictions of Mark the Evangelist
Venetian merchants, with the help of two Greek monks, take Mark the Evangelist's body to Venice, by Tintoretto.
Mark the Evangelist listening to the winged lion, from the Codex Aureus of Lorsch.
Mark the Evangelist looking at the lion, around 823 AD.
The martyrdom of Saint Mark, from the Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry.
St Mark by Andrea Mantegna, 1448.
Mark the Evangelist with the lion, 1524.
A painted picture in an Armenian Gospel book from 1609.
Saint Mark in a 17th-century painting in St Mary church in Åhus, Sweden.
St. Mark writes his Evangelium at the dictation of St. Peter, by Pasquale Ottino, 17th century.
Mark the Evangelist by Il Pordenone.
Saint Mark the Evangelist Icon from the Kazan Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, 1804.
An icon of Saint Mark the Evangelist, 1657.
Saint Mark's Basilica
St Mark in the Nuremberg Chronicle.
Saint Mark, 1411–1413, by Donatello in Florence.