St. Mark

St. Mark, also known as John Mark, is renowned for his pivotal role in early Christianity as the author of the Gospel of Mark, one of the four canonical Gospels. He was not among Jesus' original disciples but became a close companion and secretary to the Apostle Peter, which significantly influenced his evangelical mission. Mark's Gospel, likely written between AD 60 and 70, is considered the earliest of the four Gospels and was targeted primarily at Roman believers, including Gentiles. It emphasizes Jesus as the Servant of the Lord and Savior of the world, aiming to strengthen faith during times of persecution. Mark also traveled with St. Paul early in his ministry, though he left during their first missionary journey. Later, he reconciled with Paul and continued his missionary work, notably founding the Church of Alexandria in North Africa, where he served as its first bishop. His legacy extends beyond his Gospel, as he played a crucial role in spreading Christianity throughout the ancient world. St. Mark is celebrated on April 25, and his relics are said to be housed in the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, where he is also venerated as a patron saint.