St. Mark

 St. Mark

The author of the second Gospel in succession, The sources for much of what we know about Mark are the New Testament and early Christian traditions. St. Mark is believed to be the 'John Mark' mentioned in Acts, the gospel history found in the New Testament.

He is the son of Mary of Jerusalem. - 12 As soon as he heard that, John went directly to the house of Mary, the mother of Mark.- (Acts 12:12) His house became a meeting place for the apostles. He was a Levite and a Cypriot. Also the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10).

For their first missionary journey to Antioch in 44 AD. Paul and Mark joined Barnabas. When the group reached Cyprus, Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem, perhaps because of his anxiety at being evicted from his home -13 He knocked at the outer door, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer it. - (Acts 13:13). This incident caused Paul to question whether Mark could be a faithful missionary. This incident caused a dispute between Paul and Barnabas. Further, it led Paul to refuse Mark's participation in their second visit to the churches in Cilicia and the rest of Asia Minor.

However, it can be assumed that the crisis between Paul and Mark did not last long, because when Paul was first imprisoned, Mark, who was in Rome with plans to go to Asia Minor, visited him as his trusted companion - 10 Aristarchus, who is also in prison with me here. , relative of Barnabas Brother Mark also sends his best wishes. If he comes to you, give him a warm welcome—(Col. 4:10).

Mark's intention to travel through Asia Minor was largely fulfilled, for during Paul's second imprisonment and shortly before his martyrdom, Paul wrote to Timothy of Ephesus, "Take Mark and bring him with you [to Rome], for he will be useful. in the ministry for" (2 Timothy 4:11). If Mark returned to Rome at this time, he may have been there when Paul was martyred.

According to Christian tradition, St. Peter, in his letter to the churches of Asia Minor, mentioned that he had 'his son'. Mark also had a close relationship with Peter (1 Peter 5:13). Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, and Papias all indicate that Mark was a translator of Peter.

Papias states that Mark did not personally see the Lord and hear the word, and that, unlike Luke, Mark was not one of the twelve apostles. Some believe that Mark was talking about himself when he wrote the account of Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. "A young man followed, wearing nothing but a linen cloth on his body. They caught him, but he left the cloth and fled naked" (Mark 14:51-52).

St. Mark lived for many years in Alexandria, where he died as a martyr while being tortured and dragged through the streets.

St. The Gospel was written between 60 and 70 AD and is written by St. Mark based on the teachings of Peter. The Gospel of Mark is believed to have provided primary sources for both Luke and Matthew for their Gospels.

Although not mentioned in connection with the city by Clement of Alexandria or Origen, he was the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt and the founder of the Alexandrian Congregation.

In 828 St. Mark's relics were removed from Alexandria to Venice, Italy. There they are buried in a beautiful cathedral dedicated to the saint.

St. Mark's symbol is a winged lion. - 3 A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. - (Mark 1:3) is believed to be taken from his description. The wings come from Ezekiel's vision of four winged creatures as cherubim.

St. Mark is often depicted writing or holding the Gospel. He is sometimes shown as a bishop on a throne or as a man helping Venetian sailors.

St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice. The feast is celebrated all over the world on 25th April.

images

Photo by Wolfgang: https://www.pexels.com/photo/st-mark-s-basilica-in-venice-2748019/

Photo by Diego Caumont: https://www.pexels.com/photo/st-mark-s-basilica-venice-italy-10033385/

Catholic[.]org

https://youtu.be/2Hek-xU96So?si=rklhxhDy-ES2o-0Y