St. Mark the Evangelist is considered to be the “John Mark” mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament.

Son of Mary of Jerusalem, their home was a meeting place for the apostles. Mark accompanied St. Paul and St. Barnabas (the latter was his cousin) on their first missionary journey to Antioch in 44 A.D.

During St. Paul’s first imprisonment, he was visited by St. Mark who then traveled to Asia Minor as part of his mission work. During St. Paul's later imprisonment, he encouraged Timothy to seek out St. Mark and to join him in Rome.

St. Mark had a close relationship with St. Peter who referred to him as “his son” (1 Peter 5:13). St. Mark’s Gospel is estimated to have been written between 60 and 70 A.D. and based on the teachings of St. Peter. Mark’s Gospel is generally considered the basis for Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels.

St. Mark lived many years in Alexandria, Egypt where he was martyred after being dragged through the streets. St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice, Italy. His feast day is celebrated on April 25.

Other Saints of the Day:
St. Macaille
St. Hermogenes of Syracuse
St. Kebius
St. Pasicrate of Mesia