Mark was a famous disciple of John the Baptist, and when he met Christ, he became the renowned Apostle of Jesus. The symbol of the Gospel is a lion because it begins with the sermon of St. John the Baptist. Who cries out like a lion in the wilderness. If you read this article, you will learn who Mark, the evangelist is and what kind of miracles He performed. Also, you will understand the central message of his Gospel.
Who is Mark the evangelist?
Saint Mark is one of the four evangelists, and his feast is on 25 April. Some scholars have advanced this hypothesis after researching the verse in the first epistle of St. Peter: “The chosen church in Babylon and Mark, my son embrace you.” In the syntax, however, this hypothesis is not confirmed, and St. Mark is considered to be only a spiritual disciple of St. Peter.
We know about Mark’s origin simply because he belonged to the tribe of Levi. Before discussing the timing of the writing of the Holy Gospel in more detail. We will look at the path of his preaching. After traveling to Rome. He was sent to Aquileia with the Apostle Peter and went to Egypt.
At baptism, he was given the name John and was educated in Greek and Hebrew culture, but after the family emigrated to Jerusalem, the boy was named Mark. He loved more than anything the ministry of the Savior Christ. The most telling evidence is when walking with his father near the desert near the Jordan, they encountered a lion and a lioness roaring. It is evident to Aristopolus that they would both meet their end here. And infinite pity for his son prompted him to tell him to run away and save himself.
Where was Mark the Evangelist from?
Mark the Apostle and Evangelist were from Cyrene, in the West of Africa, to Jewish parents. He was educated in Greek and Hebrew culture. Saint Mark is one of the four evangelists. It is commemorated on the calendar on 25 April.
Saint Mark the Apostle and Evangelist is the one who accompanied Saint Paul and Barnabas, his cousin, on their first missionary journey. After going with Barnabas to the island of Cyprus, Mark again accompanied Paul to Rome.
Also, there, he met St Peter the Apostle and, after listening to him preach, wrote the Gospel, which bears his name. According to tradition, Mark founded the Church of Alexandria, where he was bishop. He is believed to have died a martyr’s death during the Easter holidays, having been taken from the catacomb where he was celebrating Mass, bound with ropes, and dragged through the city.
Saint Mark the Evangelist is the founder and patron saint of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Saint Mark’s distinguishing mark, the lion, is on the patriarchate’s coat of arms to show the apostolic origin of Christianity in this part of Africa.
What was Mark the Evangelist known for?
Undoubtedly, Mark, the Apostle, performed many miracles to bring to the good faith of the pagan peoples he was called to convert. The ordination of clerics was also an essential component of the apostolic mission because it helped to deepen the righteous faith of the baptized and, at the same time, was a basis for subsequent conversion.
The beloved apostle Mark preached Christ throughout Egypt and Libya. And Varvara and the Pentapolis wrote his Gospel in the days of Tiberius Caesar. Apostle Peter translated it to him and went to Cyrene the Pentapolis; he worked many miracles.
The idol worshippers do not like to see their faith in Christ increase. Bound him with nooses and dragged him away, and his flesh was torn on the stones, and his blood reddened the ground. And when they had put him in the dungeon, the Lord appeared to him. They told him beforehand the greatness he was to receive, and they bound him again at daybreak. And dragged him through the streets again. And so he was broken and torn by the stones, and gave his soul to God.
Is Mark an apostle of Jesus?
Mark is considered an apostle of Jesus and one of the four evangelists, thus being attributed to the Gospel of Mark. The lion represents his specific symbol, and his relics can be found in San Marco in Venice. This also explains the presence of the lion as a symbol of Venice; Saint Mark is the city’s protector. There is no reliable historical source to show that the author of the Gospel of Mark was named Mark, as his Gospel was published anonymously.
Throughout his life, Mark spread the works of Christ throughout Egypt, Libya, and elsewhere. Returning to Alexandria, he met some Christians at Vucoli. And began to spend his time spreading his faith in God and His word. When they saw them, a band of pagans despised Christians. And were envious of his growing confidence in Christ, tied St. Matthew with stakes and began to drag him until he gave up the spirit.
Why is the Gospel of Mark so important?
The most important thing about Mark’s Gospel is the particular content, which describes the Savior’s activity towards His fulfillment, not through words, but through the miracles He performed. Christ is received by the people joyfully, then condemned to death.
Therefore, the second canonical Gospel in the New Testament is that of St. Mark. It is the shortest of the Gospels, the most concise, and expressive. Its author is Mark, who also bears the name John, which is mentioned many times in the books of the New Testament under the Hebrew name of John and the Roman name of Mark.
He was from Jerusalem, where his mother, Mary, had a house, where the Saviour and His disciples ate the Last Supper, and where the Holy Eucharist was instituted. In addition, Mark knew the Lord Christ, saw Him, and heard Him. He and his mother were part of a wider circle of the Lord’s disciples. The fact that St. Peter escaped from prison in a beautiful way, where Herod Agrippa threw him. In the year 44, he comes to Mary’s house, where many Christians are gathered. This means that this house was a Christian center now and was before.
How did Mark the evangelist die?
He had suffered martyrdom in northern Africa at Bokalia. In 68 AD, on the feast of the Resurrection. A sea of pagans who were at the same time having a banquet in honor of the God Syrabis attacked the church at Bokalia, seized Saint Mark, tied him up with a thick rope, and dragged him through the streets. In their madness, they tore the Saint’s flesh, scattered all over the city, along with the Apostle’s blood. Afterward, Mark was imprisoned overnight in a dark prison.
Then the Angel of the Lord appeared and said to him, “Mark, good servant, rejoice, for your name has been written in the Book of Life. And you have been numbered among the saints.” Shortly afterward, the Saviour himself appeared to him and gave him peace. The following day, the pagans dragged Saint Mark out of prison, tied his neck with a thick rope, and dragged him over rocks and stones. Finally, he gave his pure soul into the hands of the Lord and received the crown of martyrdom. When the pagans wanted to burn his body, the Saviour sent a mighty storm, and they fled in fear.
Prayer to St Mark
Marvelous Saint Mark,
we are coming to your presence
through the grace of Jesus Christ
who died on the cross for our sins
you became a great Evangelist and writer,
preaching the Good News of Christ.
Help us to meet Christ and repent
Because we want to be in the
Holy Presence of God.
Amen.
Primary Takeaways
- The Gospel of Mark is the second canonical Gospel of the New Testament, written by the Apostle Mark.
- Mark was first a disciple of John the Baptist
- Mark is associated with a lion
- Mark’s first name was John
