St. Mark is the writer of one of the four Gospels, but to us he is also the founder of the Coptic Church and our first pope. St. Mark was born in the city of Cyrene in Pentapolis. This is the western part of Libya, west of the border of Egypt. His parents were righteous, God fearing and wealthy. When he was young, some drifters invaded his hometown. They robbed and stole everything in the village. These robbers took everything they could carry leaving nothing behind. Mark's parents, Aristopolis his father and Mary his Mother lost all their belongings and decided to settle in Cana of Galilee, not far from Jerusalem. A few years later, St. Mark's father died and Simon Peter (St. Peter) who was married to a relative of St. Mark took care of Mark and considered him to be like a son. This is where Mark was raised and where he met our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.St. Mark was one of the seventy chosen by our Lord. He was also chosen by Jesus as the one at whose house the Last Supper was eaten. When Jesus sent the disciples to the man carrying the pitcher to ask where they would celebrate the Passover, St. Mark was the man carrying the pitcher. The upper room of Mark's house is where the Disciples often met after Christ was crucified, and where the Holy Spirit descended on those who were present during Pentecost. St. Mark's house is recognized as the first Christian church. From this we know that St. Mark witnessed the preaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ as well as His passion.
St. Mark was guided by the Holy Spirit to go and preach in his birthplace Pentapolis. From there he went to Alexandria in 48 AD. When he arrived at Alexandria he walked from street to street amazed by its beauty, luxury and all the disobedience he saw. He walked all day without getting tired or feeling hungry. By nighttime, his sandal strap had torn and he went to the first cobbler to repair his sandals. As the cobbler, Anianus was repairing his sandals the needle pierced the cobbler's hand. The cobbler then lifted his hand up and cried out "Oh One God". St. Mark immediately took some clay and spat on it and put it on the cobbler's wound, healing it. He then started to talk to the cobbler about God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. As the cobbler listened his heart opened to St. Mark and he took him to his house. On that day, Anianus and his entire household were baptized and accepted God in their hearts. Many people of Alexandria adopted this new faith and became baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. As the number of the faithful grew, the authorities became worried because they saw that this new faith changed the people so much, they attracted others to the new faith. They were jealous and tried to capture St. Mark but his loyal followers were afraid for him that they forced him to leave Alexandria for his safety. Before leaving, St. Mark ordained Anianus as Bishop for them along with twelve priests and seven deacons. From there St. Mark went back to Pentapolis and then to Rome where he spent sometime with St. Paul. During St. Mark's absence from Alexandria, Anianus and his helpers continued the work that he had started. They built a church and houses for the poor and the strangers. St. Mark returned to see the great things that they had built. He also saw that the people lived together sharing everything and fasting and praying and preaching the Word of God.
The number of faithful was growing and multiplying daily. The people asked St. Mark to write down for them the teachings of the Lord. So in answer to their request and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel according to St. Mark was written. Over the years artists have given a symbol to each of the evangelists. St. Mark's symbol is winged lion because his Gospel begins with the story of John the Baptist, who like a roaring lion called people to repent.
As the pagans and authority leaders watched the growing success of St. Mark, their hatred for him grew and they saw him as a threat to them, so they planned to kill him. In 68 AD, the 29th of Baramouda the Christians were celebrating Easter on the same day the pagans were celebrating the feast of Serapis (a pagan holiday). The pagans together with Roman authority moved quickly against St. Mark. The crowd attacked the church just as St. Mark had finished the Eucharist. They arrested St. Mark, tied a rope around him and dragged him from street to street. They pulled him over rough rocky roads and over the rocks on the seashore. His skin was cut into pieces with blood all over the roads. At the end of the day the pagans got tired so they threw St. Mark in a dark prison. St. Mark was badly bruised, yet he was looking forward to meeting the Lord in His Heavenly Kingdom. At night, an angel appeared to St. Mark and touched him and said "O Mark, the good servant, the time has arrived to receive your award now. Be courageous, as your name has been written in book of life." This comforted him and he raised his hand towards heaven and said, "Thank you my Savior Jesus, You never left me alone, You accepted me with whom You blessed with Your mercy." As the angel left, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to him and gave him peace and said. " O Mark, my disciple and my evangelist, peace be with you." St. Mark screamed and said, "O' my Lord Jesus." When the vision ended, he became cheerful and comfortable, as his heart was ready to meet the Lord."
The following morning, on the 30th of Baramouda, the pagans came back took him from prison, tied a rope around his neck and repeated what they had done to him on the pervious day. In a few hours, the head was torn from its body. St. Mark received three crowns, the crown of Discipleship, the crown of Evangelism and the crown of Martyrdom. The mob was not satisfied with the horrible ending, they wanted to burn the body, so they prepared a big fire to burn his body, but a heavy stormy rain, thunder and lightning put out fire and dispersed the crowds. Some courageous believers took the Saint's body and head, put each in a casket and buried them in his church. St. Mark was about 58 years old when he was martyred. We commemorate the martyrdom of St. Mark on the 30th of Baramouda, or May 8th.
