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Anianus invited him to go to his house When the believers in the name of Christ increased and the pagan people of the city heard of it, they were enraged and brought to him his childrenthought of slaying St. Mark. The Saint preached and baptized them in faithful advised him to leave for a short while, for the sake of the Name safety of the Father church and its care. St. Mark [[ordination|ordained]] St. [[Anianus]] as [[bishop]] of Alexandria as well as three [[priest]]s and seven [[deacon]]s. He went to the Son five Western cities, and remained there for two years preaching, where he ordained more bishops, priests, and the Holy Spiritdeacons.
When Finally he returned to Alexandria, where he found the believers had increased in the Name of Christ increased and the pagan people of the city heard thatnumber, they were raged with anger and thought of slaying St. Mark. The faithful advised him to get away for built a short while church for them in the place known as Bokalia (the sake place of the safety cows), east of the church and its care. St. Mark ordained St. Anianus a Bishop for Alexandria, three priests and seven deacons. He went to on the Five Western Cities, remained there for two years preaching, and ordained bishops, priests, and deaconssea shore.
He returned to [[Image:StMarkCathAlex.jpg|thumb|St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria , where the saint's head is preserved to this day.]]It came to pass when he found was celebrating the believers had increased feast of the Resurrection in numberthe year 68 A.D. that the same day coincided with the great pagan celebration for the feast of the god Syrabis. Thus a multitude of pagans assembled, attacked the church at Bokalia, and built forced their way in. They seized St. Mark, bound him with a church for them in thick rope, and dragged him through the streets crying, "Drag the dragon to the place known as Bokalia (The place of cows)." They continued dragging him with severe cruelty. His flesh was torn and scattered everywhere, east and the ground of Alexandria on the sea shorecity was covered with his blood. They cast him that night into a dark prison.
It came The [[angel]] of the Lord appeared to passhim and told him: "O Mark, when he was celebrating the feast of the Resurrection on the 29th day of Baramudahgood servant, year 68 A.D.rejoice, the same day coincided with the great pagan Celebration for your name has been written in the feast book of life, and you have been counted among the god Syrabis, a multitude congregation of them assembled and attacked the church at Bokalia and forced their way insaints. They seized St. Mark" The angel disappeared, bound him with a thick rope and dragged then the Lord Christ appeared to him in the roads and streets crying, "Drag the dragon to the place of Cows." They continued dragging gave him with severe crueltypeace. His flesh was torn and scattered everywhere, soul rejoiced and the ground of the city was covered with his blood. They cast him that night into a dark prisonglad.
[[Image:StMarkCathAlexThe next morning, the pagans took St.jpg|thumb|Inside St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, where from the saint's head is preserved to this dayprison.]] The angel of They tied his neck with a thick rope and did the Lord appeared to him and told him: "O Mark, same as the good servantday before, rejoice for your name has been written in dragging him over the book of life, rocks and you have been counted among the congregation of the saintsstones." The angel disappeared Finally, then the Lord Christ appeared to him, and gave him peaceSt. His Mark delivered up his pure soul rejoiced into the hands of God and was gladreceived the crown of [[martyr]]dom.
The next morning (30th of Baramudah)Nevertheless, the pagans took St. Mark from 's death did not satisfy the prisonrage of the pagans. They tied his neck with a thick rope gathered much firewood and did the same as the day before, dragging prepared an inferno to burn him over the rocks and stones. Finally, St. Mark delivered up his pure soul But a severe storm blew in the hand of God, and received the crown of martyrdom, the apostolic crown, the crown of evangelism, heavy rains fell. The pagans became frightened and the crown of virginityfled in fear.
NeverthelessThe believers came and took the holy body, St. Mark's death did not satisfy carried it to the rage of church at Bokalia, wrapped it up, prayed over the pagans saint, and their hatredplaced him in a coffin. They gathered much firewood and prepared an inferno to burn him. A severe storm blew and heavy rains fell. The pagans became frightened, and they fled away laid the coffin in a secret place in fearthis church.
The believers came and took In 828 A.D. the holy body, carried it of St. Mark was stolen by Italian sailors and was removed from Alexandria to the church they built at Bokalia, wrapped it up, prayed over him and place it Venice in a coffinItaly. They laid it in a secret place However, the head remained in this churchAlexandria.
In 828 A==Importance to the Coptic church==[[Image:CopticIconStMark.jpg|thumb|left|Coptic icon of Saint Mark the Evangelist.DNote the typical lion near the bottom-left of the icon. ]]In the body [[Oriental Orthodox|Non-Chalcedonian]] [[Church of Saint Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Orthodox Church]], the Apostle Mark was stolen by Italian sailors and was removed from is perhaps the most beloved of all saints, being the founder of the see of Alexandria to Venice in Italythe first century. However Many Coptic churches are named for him, and on the 30th of Babah ([[Coptic calendar]]), the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the commemoration of the [[consecration of a church|consecration]] of the church of the pure St. Mark the Evangelist, the founder of the church in Egypt, and the appearance of his holy head remained in the city of Alexandria.
Every year, on === Return of relics in 1968 ===[[Image:PopeKyrillosVIreceivingStMarkRelics1968.jpg|thumb|A historical event: Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Kyrillos VI]] receiving the [[relics]] of St. Mark in Cairo airport.]]On the 30th 17th of Babah [[w:Paoni|Baounah]] (Coptic month), of the year 1684 A.M. (Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates calendar), which was Monday, [[June 24]], 1968 A.D., and in the commemoration tenth year of the consecration papacy of Pope [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Kyrillos the church Sixth]], 116th Pope of Alexandria, the pure [[relics]] of St. Mark the EvangelistApostle, the founder Evangelist of the church in Egyptian land and the first [[Patriarch]] of Alexandria, were returned to Egypt. After eleven centuries outside Egypt, St. Mark's body has at last returned to the same country (Cairo, Egypt) where he was martyred, and the appearance of where his holy head is preserved to this day in the city of Alexandria, Egypt.
=== Return of the Relics (Body) of St. Mark from Venice to Egypt in 1968 ===[[Image:PopeKyrillosVIreceivingStMarkRelics1968.jpg|thumb|A historical event: Pope Kyrillos VI receiving the relics of St. Mark in Cairo airport.]] On the 17th of Baunah (Coptic month), of the year 1684 A.M. (Coptic Calendar of Martyrs), that coincided with Monday the 24th of June, 1968 A.D., and in the tenth year of the papacy of [[Cyril VI (Atta) of Alexandria|Pope Kyrillos the Sixth]], 116th Pope of Alexandria, the relics of the great saint, the beholder of God, St. Mark the Apostle, the Evangelist of the Egyptian land and the first Patriarch of Alexandria, were returned to Egypt. After eleven centuries outside Egypt, St. Mark's body (part of it) has at last returned to the same country (Cairo, Egypt) where he was martyred, and where [http://www.st-marc.com/English/history.htm his head] is preserved to this day in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. Pope Kyrillos had delegated sent an official delegation to travel to Rome to receive the relics of St. Mark the Apostle from the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] Pope Paul VI. The papal delegation consisted of ten metropolitans and bishops, seven of them whom were Coptic and three Ethiopians, and three of the prominent Coptic [[laity|lay ]] leaders. The Alexandrian delegation received the relics of St. Mark the Apostle on Saturday the 22nd of , [[June22]], 1968 A.D. , from Pope Paul VI. The moment of handing over the holy relics, after eleven centuries, during which the body of St. Mark was kept in the city of Venice, in Italy, was a solemn and joyful moment.
The next day, Sunday 16th of Baounah (June 23rd), the Alexandrian Papal delegation celebrated a festive pontifical liturgy in the church of St. Athanasius the Apostolic in Rome. The ten metropolitans, bishops, and the priests accompanying the delegation, all served in the liturgy. Members of the Roman Papal delegation, the Copts who accompanied the Delegation, and those who lived in Rome, newspaper and news agency reporters, and many foreign dignitaries attended the liturgy.
=== Inauguration of the New St. Mark Cathedral, Cairo, Egypt (1968) ===
On the 18th of Baunah (Coptic month), of the year 1684 A.M. (Coptic Calendar of Martyrs), that coincided with Tuesday the 25th of June, 1968 A.D., and in the tenth year of the papacy of Pope Kyrillos the Sixth, 116th Pope of Alexandria, the holy church celebrates the inauguration of the new St. Mark Cathedral in Dair El-Anba Rowais, which was known also as Dair El-Khandaq.
For this occasion and for the return of the relics of St. Mark the Apostle from Rome, after being in the city of Venice in Italy for eleven centuries, i.e. since the ninth century, a great religious celebration was organized. The celebration was headed by H.H. Pope Kyrillos the Sixth and was attended by President Gamal Abdel Naser, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Emperor Haile Selassie the First, Emperor of Ethiopia, and many of the heads of different religions and representatives of churches from all around the world. Among those religious leaders was Mari Ignatius Yacoub the Third, the Antiochian Patriarch for the Syrian Orthodox.
Many momentous speeches were delivered in different languages for this occasion. The speakers were Pope Kyrillos the Sixth, the Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox, Cardinal Doval, the head of the Roman Papal delegation, the Catholicos Patriarch of Ethiopia, the secretary general of the World Council of Churches, and the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia. They all expressed their joy on this happy and blessed day, saluting the church of Alexandria, which had a glorious history, with salutation of appreciation and respect.
At the end of the speeches the Pope along with the President of Egypt and the Emperor of Ethiopia went to the entrance of the new Cathedral. They unveiled the curtains from the commemorative plaque that was prepared to perpetuate this historical day.
This celebration was attended by the journalists, the international news agencies' reporters, radio, television and more than six thousand Egyptians and foreigners==Hymns==[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 3) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=100019]
May :Holy apostle Mark of the Seventy;:entreat the prayers of this great Saint and honorable Evangelist be with us and Glory be merciful;:to grant our God forever. Amensouls forgiveness of transgressions.
== Source ==Troparion (Tone 4) [http://wwwoca.copticchurch.netorg/synaxarium/08_30FStropars.html Coptic Orthodox Synaxarium (Book of Saints)asp?ID=101204]
→External links: Removing dead link (Come and See Icons)
[[Image:CopticIconStMarkApostle Mark.jpg|thumbright|Coptic icon of Saint frame|The Apostle Mark]]The holy, glorious and all-laudable '''Apostle and Evangelist Mark ''' is the Evangelist. Note author of the typical lion near [[Gospel of Mark]], the bottom-left companion of the icon.[[Apostle Paul]] On (as recorded in the 30th [[Acts of Barmoudah (Coptic monththe Apostles]]), which coincided with and is numbered among the 26th of April 68 A[[Apostles#The_Seventy|Seventy Apostles]].D., the great apostle He is often referred to as '''Saint John Mark''', writer of the Gospel bearing his name and is the evangelist founder of the land [[Church of EgyptAlexandria]], was being regarded as its first pope. As a result, he is also venerated by the [[MartyrChurch of Alexandria (Coptic)|martyredCoptic Orthodox Church]]as its founder as well. He was His symbol as one of the first Pope of Alexandria four [[evangelist]]s is a lion. The Church celebrates his [[feast day]]s on [[April 25]]; [[September 27]] with [[Apostle Aristarchus|Aristarchus]] and [[Apostle Zenas|Zenas]]; [[October 30]] with [[Apostle Tertius|Tertius]], [[Apostle Justus|Justus]], [[Apostle Artemas|Artemas]], and [[Apostle Cleopas|Cleopas]]; and one of [[January 4]] among the Seventy Apostles.
== Biography Life ==His name was John, as the Holy Bible says: "He came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying" (Acts 12:12). He was the one that whom the Lord Christ, to Whom is the glory, meant when He said: "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, The Teacher says, 'My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples[[disciple]]s'" ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew ]] 26:18).
His house was the first Christian church, where they ate the [[Passover]], hid after the death of the Lord Christ, and in its upper room the [[Holy Spirit ]] came upon them.
This Saint apostle was born in Cyrene (One one of the Five five Western cities, Pentapolis - , in North Africa). His father's name was Aristopolus and , his mother's name was Maryand he was a kinsman of the [[Apostle Barnabas]]. They were [[Judaism|Jewish ]] in faith, rich and of great honor. They educated him with the Greek and Hebrew cultures. He was called Mark after they emigrated immigrated to Jerusalem, where St. [[Apostle Peter|Peter ]] had become a disciple to the Lord of Jesus Christ. St. Peter was married to the cousin of Aristopolus. Mark visited St. Peter's house often, and from him he learned the Christian teachings.
Once when Aristopolus and his son Mark were walking near the Jordan river, close by the desert, they encountered a raving lion and a lioness. It was evident to Aristopolus that it would be his end and the end of his Sonson, Mark. His compassion for his son compelled him to order him to escape to save himself. Mark answered, "Christ, in whose hands our lives are committed, will not let them prey on us." Saying this, he prayed, "O, Christ, Son of God , protect us from the evil of these two beasts and terminate their offspring from this wilderness." Immediately, God granted this prayer, and the two beasts fell dead. His father marvelled and asked his son to tell him about the Lord Christ. He believed in the Lord Christ at the hands of his son who [[baptism|baptized ]] him.
After the [[ascension ]] of the Lord Christ, he Mark accompanied Paul and [[Apostle Barnabas |Barnabas]] to preach the Gospel [[gospel]] in Antioch, Seleucia, Cyprus, Salamis, and Perga Pamphylia , where he left them and returned to Jerusalem. After the Apostolic Council apostolic council in Jerusalem, he went with Barnabas to Cyprus.
After the departure of Barnabas, with the order of the Lord Christ, St. Mark went to Afrikia, Berka, and the Five five Western cities. He preached the Gospel gospel in these parts, and believed on his hands most of its peopleaccount many believed. From there, he went to Alexandria in the 1st. of Bashans 61 A.D.
When he entered the city, his shoe was torn because of the much walking in amount he had walked during his preaching and [[evangelism]]. He went to a cobbler in the city, called [[Anianus of Alexandria|Anianus]], to repair it. While he Anianus was repairing it the shoe, the awl pierced his finger. Anianus shouted in Greek saying "EIS THEOSEis Theos!" which means "O, ONE GODone God!". When St. Mark heard these words his heart rejoiced exceedingly. He found it suitable to talk to him about the One one God. The Apostle apostle took some clay, spat on it , and applied it to Anianus' finger, saying "in the Name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, " and the wound healed immediately, as if nothing had happened to it.
Anianus was exceedingly amazed from by this [[miracle ]] that happened in the Name name of Jesus Christ, and his heart opened to the word of God. The Apostle apostle asked him about who was the only God that he cried for when he was injured. Anianus replied "I heard about him, but I do not know him." St. Mark started explaining to him from the beginning, from the creation of heaven and earth, the transgression and fall of Adam, the flood, how God sent Moses, who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, and gave them the Law, the captivity of all the children of Israel way to Babylon, and the prophecies that foretold the coming of Christ. Anianus then invited him to go to his house and brought to him his children. The saint preached and baptized them.
:From your childhood the light of truth enlightened you, O Mark,:and you loved the labor of Christ the Savior.:Therefore, you followed Peter with zeal:and served Paul well as a fellow laborer,:and you enlighten the world with your holy Gospel. [[Kontakion]] (Tone 4) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=100019] :The Church ever sees you as a shining star, O apostle Mark,:Your miracles have manifested great enlightenment.:Therefore we cry out to Christ::"Save those who with faith honor Your apostle, O Most Merciful One." Kontakion (Tone 2) [http://oca.org/FStropars.asp?ID=101204] :When you received the grace of the Spirit from on high, O Apostle,:you broke the snares of the philosophers and gathered all nations into your net,:bringing them to your Lord, O glorious Mark,:by the preaching of the divine Gospel. {{start box}}{{succession|before=—|title=[[List of Patriarchs of Alexandria|Bishop of Alexandria]]|years=43-63|after=[[Anianus]]}}{{end box}} == Sources ==*[http://www.copticchurch.net/synaxarium/08_30.html Coptic Orthodox Synaxarium (Book of Saints)]*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]'' == External Links links ==* [http://tasbeha.org/content/hh_books/Stmark/ St. Mark's detailed biography by H.H. Pope Shenouda III]* [http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/synexarion/mark.html St. Mark the Apostle, Evangelist, and Preacher of the Christian Faith in Africa]* [http://www.zeitun-eg.net/stcyril6/stcyril6_v18.zip The return of St. Mark Relics from Italy (June 1968 - zipped RealVideo)]* [http://www.coptichymnselmorkosia.net/Coptic_Photos-thumbnails-album-36church/history.html St. Saint-Mark's New Cathedral, Abbassyia, Cairo, Egypt (inaugurated in 1968)Church Alexandria: History]* [http://www.newadventvoskrese.orginfo/cathenspl/09672cpatmark.htm Saint html Life of the Apostle and Evangelist Mark ] by Severus, Bishop of Al-Ushmunain (Catholic Encyclopediafl. ca. AD 955-987)]translated from the Arabic by B. Evetts (from Patrologia Orientalis, first series); Saint Pachomius Library* [http://enocafs.wikipediaoca.org/wiki/Saint_Mark Saint FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=101204 Apostle and Evangelist Mark on Wikipedia], APril 25 ([[OCA]])* [http://wwwocafs.st-marcoca.comorg/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102733 Apostle Mark of the Seventy], September 27 (OCA)* [http://wwwocafs.stmarkmaadioca.comorg/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100019 Apostle Mark the Evangelist of the Seventy], January 4 (OCA)* [http://wwwocafs.stmarkoschurchoca.comorg/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100078 Apostle Mark of the Seventy, called John], January 4 (OCA)* [http://wwwocafs.saintmarkoca.comorg/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100083 Apostle Mark of the Seventy], January 4 (OCA)* [http://www.stmarkdcgoarch.org/chapel/saints/31 Mark the Apostle & Evangelist] ([[GOARCH]]) * http[[Category://www.rochcopts.org/Biblical Saints|Mark]]* http[[Category://www.stmarknc.us/Seventy Apostles|Mark]]* http[[Category://www.stmarkchicago.org/Martyrs|Mark]]* http[[Category://www.stmarksmanhattan.com/Patriarchs of Alexandria|Mark]]* http[[Category://www.stmarkcoccleveland.org/Saints|Mark]]* http[[Category://www.stmark1st-la.com/century saints]]* http://www.stmark.toronto.on.coptorthodox.ca/* http[[ar://www.stmarycopticchurch.ab.ca/مرقس الرسول]]* http[[el://www.stmarkscollege.com/Ευαγγελιστής Μάρκος]]* http[[ro://www.stmark.org.uk/Apostolul Marcu]]
