Saint Mark the Evangelist

St. Mark the Evangelist, traditionally identified with the "John Mark" of the Acts of the Apostles, is honored by the Church as the author of the Gospel of Mark. He is believed to have been born in Jerusalem, where his mother's house served as a gathering place for the early Christians. He accompanied St. Paul and his cousin St. Barnabas on their first missionary journey, and later worked alongside Barnabas in Cyprus before being reconciled with Paul. He became a close disciple of St. Peter, who called him "my son," and his Gospel is traditionally held to preserve Peter's preaching. Tradition holds that Mark founded the Church of Alexandria in Egypt, served as its first bishop, and was martyred there around AD 68. His feast is celebrated on April 25.