Saint Mark the Evangelist

Mark, also called John Mark, appears in the Acts of the Apostles. The early Christians of Jerusalem gathered in his mother Mary's house, and Peter went there after his miraculous escape from prison. Mark accompanied Paul and his cousin Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but turned back partway, causing a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. Later he was reconciled with Paul, who called him useful in his ministry.

Ancient tradition, recorded by Papias and others, says Mark was Peter's interpreter in Rome and wrote down Peter's preaching in his Gospel, considered by most scholars the earliest of the four. It is vivid, brief and full of action, revealing Jesus as the suffering Son of God. Tradition also says Mark founded the Church of Alexandria in Egypt and was martyred there. In 828 merchants brought his relics to Venice, where the great Basilica of San Marco was built to house them.

Venice celebrates its patron with special solemnity, and men traditionally give women a red rosebud, the bocolo. In parts of Spain and Latin America, his feast was traditionally linked with blessings of fields and crops, and in some towns with country pilgrimages and picnics.

His symbol, the winged lion, appears on the flag of Venice and in countless churches.