St. Mark the Evangelist Medal

St. Mark the Evangelist Biography

St. Mark the Evangelist, also known as John Mark, is believed by many to be the author of the Gospel of Mark, one of the four gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. He is also one of the seventy disciples of Jesus and is honored as a saint by the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Church. His feast day is celebrated on April 25th.

St. Mark was the son of a Jewish woman named Mary, who was a prominent member of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. He is first mentioned in the New Testament in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is said that he accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.

He is also believed to have been the cousin of Barnabas, who was one of the leaders of the early Christian community. He is later mentioned in the New Testament as the host of the church that met in his mother’s house in Jerusalem.

St. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four gospels, and it is believed that it was written for the Gentile community in Rome. It is characterized by its emphasis on the deeds of Jesus and the passion narrative, which describes the last week of Jesus’ life, his arrest, trial, and execution by crucifixion.

St. Mark is also associated with the foundation of the Church of Alexandria in Egypt, which became one of the most important centers of Christianity in the early centuries. The Patriarch of Alexandria, who is considered the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, still bears the title “”Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa in the See of St. Mark the Apostle.””

According to tradition, St. Mark was martyred during the persecution of the Roman Emperor Nero, in the year 68 AD. He was dragged through the streets of Alexandria until he died.

His relics were later transferred to Venice in 828 AD and today, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, one of the most famous churches in the world, contains his tomb. He is the patron saint of Venice and his symbol is the winged lion, which is featured prominently in the city’s art and architecture.

St. Mark’s life and writings have had a profound influence on Christianity, and his Gospel continues to be studied and admired by people of many different faiths. His devotion to spreading the word of God has made him one of the most important figures of early Christianity.

The Life of St. Mark the Evangelist

St. Mark was born a Jew and was converted to Christianity by the Apostles after the Resurrection of Christ. He accompanied St. Paul and St. Barnabas on their first missionary journey; afterwards he went to Rome and acted as interpreter for St. Peter to the people.

St. Peter sent St. Mark into Egypt and appointed him Bishop of Alexandria in the year 60. For twelve years he preached the Gospel in Libya, and in Egypt, where he founded the great Church of Alexandria and made many converts among the Jews. This success stirred up the non-believers against the Apostle. The authorities in Alexandria called him a magician on account of his miracles, and resolved to put him to death.

The Martyrdom of St. Mark

For a long time God concealed St. Mark from them. However, on April 24, 68 A.D., some of them found him as he was offering up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. They seized him, tied his feet with cords, and the whole day long dragged him about the streets, crying, “the ox must be led to Bucoles”, a rocky place near the sea. The ground was stained with his blood and strewn with pieces of his flesh.

At night he was cast into prison, in which God comforted him by two visions. The following day, April 25, the infidels repeated their torture until he expired. The Christians gathered up St. Mark’s mangled body and buried it at Bucoles. In the 9th century it was translated to Venice. The Saint is represented in art with a lion at his feet and a scroll in his hand, on which is inscribed the words: Peace be to thee, O Mark, My Evangelist.

St. Mark Patron Saint of Lawyers and Notaries

Today, the Catholic Church regards St. Mark the Evangelist as the patron saint of notaries and lawyers.

Popular St. Mark the Evangelist Items

A St. Mark medal or a St. Mark rosary is a perfect gift to give to a young man who has chosen St. Mark the Evangelist as their confirmation name. Wearing a St. Mark medal daily is a perpetual prayer of intercession on behalf of the wearer. As saints are united closer to God, their prayers are more efficacious, and enriches your own prayer.

Additionally, a Saint Mark pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint in your own life. What a beautiful testament of faith to share with the world, or to keep discretely tucked under your clothes. During the challenging moments of your day, reflect upon the holy life of St. Mark the Evangelist and pray for their intercession and protection.

Our hand pressed Saint Mark medal pendant features the image of St Mark in the foreground holding a scroll with the iconic winged lion which is often used in religious art to symbolize the Evangelist. Surrounding this beautiful image are the words “Saint Mark Pray for Us”

Prayers to St. Mark the Evangelist

Prayer of Thanksgiving as you put on a St. Mark the Evangelist Medal and Necklace

Almighty God, who by the hand of Mark the evangelist have given to your Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God: We thank you for this witness, and pray that we may be firmly grounded in its truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Prayer for the Intercession of St. Mark the Evangelist

O Glorious St. Mark
through the grace
of God, our Father,
you became a great Evangelist,
preaching the
Good News of Christ.
May you help us to know Him
well so that we may faithfully
live our lives as followers of
Christ.
Amen.

Prayer to St. Mark the Evangelist for Guidance and Wisdom

O St. Mark, faithful servant of Jesus,
Through your teachings and gospel writings,
You have shown the world the truth of the Lord.
Help me to seek your guidance and wisdom
So that I may live a life filled with faith, hope, and love.

St. Mark the Evangelist, Pray for Us

Dear St. Mark,
You were a trusted disciple of Jesus,
And your gospel writings continue to inspire us today.
We ask for your intercession,
That we may always strive to follow the Lord more closely.
St. Mark the Evangelist, pray for us.

Prayer for the Protection of St. Mark the Evangelist

Heavenly Father,
Through the power of the Holy Spirit,
You inspired St. Mark to share the good news of the gospel.
We ask for your protection over us,
That we may always live according to your word.
And through the intercession of St. Mark,
May we be filled with the grace and truth of the Lord.

St. Mark the Evangelist: Patron Saint of Venice and Evangelists

St. Mark the Evangelist is one of the four Evangelists, or writers of the Gospels, in the New Testament. He is venerated as the patron saint of Venice, Italy and is also recognized as the patron saint of evangelists and those who work to spread the gospel.

St. Mark is the Patron Saint of Venice

St. Mark is recognized as the patron saint of Venice, Italy. According to tradition, his body was brought to Venice in 828 AD, and it has since been housed in the city’s famous basilica, which is dedicated to him. St. Mark is considered to be the protector of the city, and his symbol, the winged lion, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Venice.

St. Mark is the Patron Saint of Evangelists

St. Mark is also recognized as the patron saint of evangelists and those who work to spread the gospel. This is due to his role as the writer of the Gospel of Mark, which is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament. St. Mark’s gospel is noted for its clear and simple language, making it accessible to all people, and for its emphasis on the power of Christ’s miracles and teachings. He is therefore invoked by those who are working to spread the gospel, as well as by those who seek to deepen their understanding of the message of the Gospels.

St. Mark is the Patron Saint of Notaries

St. Mark is also recognized as the patron saint of notaries. This is due to his role as a secretary or scribe to St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles. St. Mark is considered to be an authority on the teachings of St. Peter, and he is therefore invoked by notaries and those who work in fields related to writing and documentation.

St. Mark is the Patron Saint of Lions

St. Mark is also recognized as the patron saint of lions. This is due to a legend that states that he was martyred by being thrown to lions. The lion is therefore often depicted in his iconography, and he is invoked by those who seek protection and strength in the face of danger.

In conclusion, St. Mark the Evangelist is a revered and much-loved patron saint who is associated with a variety of causes and professions. From the city of Venice to notaries and those working to spread the gospel, he is remembered for his role as a writer of one of the Gospels and for his devotion to spreading the message of Christ, and is therefore invoked by many people seeking his intercession and guidance.” 

Reflection on the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist

The feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist is celebrated on April 25th in the Catholic Church.

St. Mark the Evangelist is traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of Mark, one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament. He is said to have been a companion of Saint Peter and traveled with him throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the message of Jesus Christ. He is considered the patron saint of Venice, where his remains are said to be buried, and his symbol is the lion.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist, we are reminded of the importance of spreading the message of Jesus Christ. St. Mark teaches us that our faith should be evident in the way we live our lives and in the way we share the message of Jesus with others. He reminds us that we are all called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the good news of salvation with those around us.

St. Mark is also a reminder of the importance of perseverance in our faith. He faced many challenges and obstacles as he spread the message of Jesus, but he persevered in his mission despite the difficulties. He reminds us that the road to salvation is not always easy, but that with the help of God, we can endure through any challenges that may come our way.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist, let us call on his powerful intercession and ask him to guide and protect us on our journey of faith. Let us also remember that just like St. Mark, we too have the opportunity to be faithful servants of God, spreading the good news of the Gospel to all those around us. May God bless us all.

In conclusion, the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist is a powerful reminder of the importance of spreading the message of Jesus Christ and the perseverance that is required to fulfill this mission. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we can deepen our own faith and to ask for the intercession of St. Mark in our journey of faith. May the example of St. Mark guide us to become more faithful servants of God, spreading the good news of salvation to all those around us, with perseverance

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Saints Similar to St. Mark the Evangelist

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Maron and the Biography of St. Martin of Tours and the Biography of St. Martin de Porres. These saints share connections through their contributions to the Christian faith. St. Mark the Evangelist is known for writing the Gospel of Mark. St. Maron was a Christian hermit and the founder of the Maronite Church. St. Martin of Tours and St. Martin de Porres were known for their charitable works and piety. Next up: Biography of St. Maron

 

Also check out our handmade St. Mark the Evangelist Medal and St. Mark the Evangelist Rosary and St. Mark the Evangelist Rosary Bracelet.