Mark

One of the four evangelists, he was the companion of Paul and Barnabas on their early missions and was later in Rome with Paul. His attribute is a winged lion. He has several inscriptions of which the most frequent is 'Initium evangelii Jesu Christi filii dei'—'Here begins the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God' (Mark 1:1.) According to Papias, an early Father of the Church, quoted by Eusebius (Hist. Ecc. 3. 39:15) he was the 'interpreter of St Peter', whence arose the popular tradition that he wrote down the words of his gospel from Peter's dictation. They are often depicted together, either holding a book, Mark with pen and inkhorn; or Peter preaches from a pulpit while Mark is seated, writing. Mark was believed to have visited Alexandria to preach the gospel and to have become the first bishop of that city; hence he sometimes wears bishop's vestments. He was said to have been martyred there. (See 4, below.) His supposed remains were removed from Alexandria and brought to Venice in the 9th cent. the story of which is told in a series of mosaics in the church of San Marco. As the patron saint of Venice he features much in paintings of the Venetian school. In devotional subjects he holds a book, the gospel, in one hand while the doge or some other dignitary of Venice kneels before him; or he is seen presenting them to the Virgin.

1. The cure of St Anianus. While in Alexandria, Mark miraculously healed a cobbler named Anianus who had injured his hand with an awl. The cobbler was converted to Christianity and was said to have become bishop of Alexandria after Mark. He is seen curing and also baptizing Anianus.
   
   
2. The miracle of the fisherman. A 14th cent. legend tells how a Venetian fisherman at the height of a storm was bidden by three strangers to row them out to the open sea. There they met a boat full of demons heading for the city to destroy it, The three strangers, who proved to be the saints Mark, George and Nicholas, exorcized the demons and saved Venice. The storm thereupon abated. Mark handed his ring to the fisherman and bade him take it to the doge as proof of the miraculous event. We see the fisherman's boat in the midst of the storm, with Mark in it making the sign of the cross. George in armor and Nicholas in bishop's robes. The demons leap overboard from their craft; others climb the rigging. Artists have also depicted the scene of the fisherman presenting Mark's ring to the doge.
   
   
3. St Mark rescuing a slave. Another legend tells of a Christian slave punished by his master by being dragged through the streets of Venice to his execution in the public square. St Mark miraculously swept down from heaven and released the slave from his bonds. His executioners and the onlookers draw back in astonishment as the saint's radiant figure descends over the slave's naked, supine body. (Tintoretto, Accademia, Venice).
   
   
4. The martyrdom of St Mark. Mark was arrested in Alexandria on Easter day while celebrating Mass. In prison Christ appeared to him. He died after being dragged through the streets with a rope tied round his neck. A hailstorm broke out causing his assailants to flee and his fellow Christians were thus able to remove his body for burial. Mark's vision of Christ in the prison cell, and his death in the streets are both represented in art.