Feast of St. Mark, the Evangelist

Mark, also known as John-Mark, accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey to Antioch and accompanied Peter to Rome. According to tradition, Mark used Peter’s teachings as his primary source for his Gospel. At a later time Mark also founded the Church of Alexandria in Egypt.

Mark’s Gospel, which was written during the time of persecution by Nero, portrays Jesus as the “Suffering Servant — the Christ crucified”.