Apostle John Mark

The Apostle and Evangelist Mark, also called John Mark, was born in Jerusalem and was a nephew of Apostle Barnabas. He collaborated with Apostles Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys, and later became the closest assistant of Apostle Peter. According to tradition, St. Mark recorded in his Gospel the preaching of Apostle Peter about the earthly life of the Savior. He later founded the Church in Alexandria, Egypt, where he was martyred by pagans. In 820, when power in Egypt passed to the Arabs and the Church was oppressed, the saint's relics were translated to Venice and placed in the church bearing his name. In iconography he is depicted with a lion — a symbol of the might and royal dignity of Christ. His memory is kept on April 25/May 8.