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[[Image:CopticIconStMarkApostle Mark.jpg|thumbright|Coptic icon of Saint frame|The Apostle Mark the ]]The holy, glorious and all-laudable '''Apostle and Evangelist. Note Mark''' is the typical lion near author of the bottom-left [[Gospel of Mark]], the 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 ASeventy [[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 of Egypt, was [[Martyr|martyredChurch of Alexandria]], being regarded as its first pope. He was As a result, he is also particularly venerated by the first Pope [[Church of Alexandria and one of the Seventy Apostles(Coptic)|Coptic Church]] as its founder, as well.

== Biography ==His name house was Johnthe first Christian church, as where they ate the Holy Bible says: "He came to the house of Mary[[Passover]], hid after the mother death of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying" (Acts 12:12). He was the one that 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 in its upper room the Passover at your house with My disciples" (Matthew 26:18)[[Holy Spirit]] came upon them.

This apostle was born in Cyrene (one of the five Western cities, Pentapolis, in North Africa). His house father's name was Aristopolus and his mother's name was Mary. They were [[Judaism|Jewish]] in faith, rich and of great honor. They educated him with the first Christian churchGreek and Hebrew cultures. He was called Mark after they emigrated to Jerusalem, where they ate St. [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] had become a disciple of Jesus Christ. St. Peter was married to the Passover, hid after the death cousin of the Lord ChristAristopolus. Mark visited St. Peter's house often, and in its upper room from him he learned the Holy Spirit came upon themChristian teachings.

This Saint was born in Cyrene (One of Once Aristopolus and his son Mark were walking near the Jordan river, close by the Five Western citiesdesert, Pentapolis - in North Africa)they encountered a raving lion and a lioness. His father's name It was evident to Aristopolus that it would be his end and the end of his mother's name was Maryson, Mark. His compassion for his son compelled him to order him to escape to save himself. They were Jewish Mark answered, "Christ, in faithwhose hands our lives are committed, will not let them prey on us." Saying this, he prayed, "O, Christ, rich and Son of great honor. They educated him with God protect us from the Greek evil of these two beasts and Hebrew culturesterminate their offspring from this wilderness. He was called Mark after they emigrated to Jerusalem" Immediately, God granted this prayer, where Stand the two beasts fell dead. Peter had become a disciple His father marvelled and asked his son to tell him about Christ. He believed in the Lord Christ. St. Peter was married to at the cousin hands of Aristopolus. Mark visited St. Peter's house often, and from his son who [[baptism|baptized]] him he learned the Christian teachings.

Once Aristopolus and his son Mark were walking near After the Jordan river, close by ascension of the desertLord Christ, they encountered a raving lion he accompanied Paul and a lioness. It was evident [[Apostle Barnabas|Barnabas]] to Aristopolus that it would be his end and preach the end of his Son, Mark. His compassion for his son compelled him to order him to escape to save himself. Mark answered, "Christ, gospel in whose hands our lives are committed, will not let them prey on us." Saying this, he prayed, "OAntioch, ChristSeleucia, Son of God protect us from the evil of these two beasts and terminate their offspring from this wilderness." ImmediatelyCyprus, God granted this prayerSalamis, and the two beasts fell dead. His father marvelled Perga Pamphylia where he left them and asked his son returned to tell him about Jerusalem. After the Lord Christ. He believed apostolic council in the Lord Christ at the hands of his son who baptized himJerusalem, he went with Barnabas to Cyprus.

After the ascension departure of Barnabas, with the Lord Christorder of Jesus, he accompanied Paul and Barnabas St. Mark went to preach the Gospel in AntiochAfrikia, Seleucia, Cyprus, SalamisBerka, and Perga Pamphylia where he left them and returned to Jerusalemthe five Western cities. After He preached the Apostolic Council gospel in Jerusalemthese parts, and believed on his hands most of its people. From there, he went with Barnabas to CyprusAlexandria in 61 A.D.

After When he entered the departure of Barnabascity, with the order his shoe was torn because of the Lord Christ, Stmuch walking in preaching and evangelism. Mark He went to Afrikiaa cobbler in the city, Berkacalled Anianus, and to repair it. While he was repairing it the Five Western citiesawl pierced his finger. He preached the Gospel Anianus shouted in Greek saying "Eis Theos!" which means "O, one God!" When St. Mark heard these parts, and believed on words his hands most of its peopleheart rejoiced exceedingly. He found it suitable to talk to him about the one God. From thereThe apostle took some clay, he went spat on it and applied it to Alexandria Anianus' finger, saying "in the 1st. Name of Jesus Christ the Son of Bashans 61 A.DGod," and the wound healed immediately, as if nothing happened to it.

When he entered Anianus was exceedingly amazed from this miracle that happened in the cityname of Jesus Christ, and his shoe was torn because heart opened to the word of the much walking in preaching and evangelismGod. He went to a cobbler in The apostle asked him about who was the city, called Anianus, to repair it. While only God that he cried for when he was repairing it the awl pierced his fingerinjured. Anianus shouted in Greek saying replied "EIS THEOS" which means "OI heard about him, ONE GODbut I do not know him.". When St. Mark heard these words his heart rejoiced exceedingly. He found it suitable to talk started explaining to him about from the One God. The Apostle took some claybeginning, spat on it the creation of heaven and applied it to Anianus' fingerearth, saying in the Name transgression and fall of Jesus Christ Adam, the flood, how God sent [[Moses,]] who brought the Son children of GodIsrael out of Egypt, and gave them the wound healed immediatelyLaw, as if nothing happened the captivity of the children of Israel to itBabylon, and the prophecies that foretold the coming of Christ.

Anianus was exceedingly amazed from this miracle that happened in the Name of Jesus Christ, and his heart opened invited him to the word of God. The 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 go to him from the beginning, the creation of heaven and earth, the transgression his house and fall of Adam, the flood, how God sent Moses, who brought the to him his children of Israel out of Egypt, . The saint preached and gave baptized them the Law, the captivity of the children of Israel to Babylon, and the prophecies that foretold the coming of Christ.

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 that, they were raged with anger and brought to him his childrenthought of slaying St. Mark. The Saint preached and baptized them in faithful advised him to get away for a short while for the sake of the Name safety of the Father church and its care. St. Mark ordained St. [[Anianus]] as [[bishop]] for Alexandria, three priests and seven deacons. He went to the Son five Western cities, remained there for two years preaching, and the Holy Spiritordained bishops, [[priest]]s, and [[deacon]]s.

When 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 It came to Alexandria where pass, when he found was celebrating the believers had increased feast of the Resurrection in numberthr year 68 A.D., the same day coincided with the great pagan celebration for the feast of the god Syrabis, a multitude of them assembled and attacked the church at Bokalia and built forced their way in. They seized St. Mark, bound him with a church for them thick rope and dragged him in the place known as Bokalia (The roads and streets crying, "Drag the dragon to 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 to pass[[Image:StMarkCathAlex.jpg|thumb|St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, when he was celebrating where the feast saint's head is preserved to this day.]] The angel of the Resurrection on Lord appeared to him and told him: "O Mark, the 29th day of Baramudahgood servant, year 68 A.D., the same day coincided with the great pagan Celebration rejoice 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 then the Lord Christ appeared to him with a thick rope , and dragged gave him in the roads and streets crying, "Drag the dragon to the place of Cows." They continued dragging 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:StMarkCathAlex.jpg|thumb|Inside St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, where the saint's head is preserved to this day.]] The angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him: "O Mark, the good servant, rejoice for your name has been written in the book of life, and you have been counted among the congregation of the saints." The angel disappeared, then the Lord Christ appeared to him, and gave him peace. His soul rejoiced and was glad. The next morning (30th of Baramudah), the pagans took St. Mark from the prison. They tied his neck with a thick rope and did the same as the day before, dragging him over the rocks and stones. Finally, St. Mark delivered up his pure soul in the hand of God, and received the crown of martyrdom[[martyr]]dom, the apostolic crown, the crown of evangelism, and the crown of virginity.

In 828 A.D. the body of Saint St. Mark was stolen by Italian sailors and was removed from Alexandria to Venice in Italy. However, the head remained in Alexandria.

Every year==Importance to the Coptic Church==[[Image:CopticIconStMark.jpg|thumb|right|Coptic icon of Saint Mark the Evangelist. Note the typical lion near the bottom-left of the icon.]]In the [[Oriental Orthodox|Non-Chalcedonian]] [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Orthodox Church]], the Apostle Mark is perhaps the most beloved of all saints, being the founder of the see of Alexandria in the first century. Many of their churches are named for him, and on the 30th of Babah (Coptic monthcalendar), the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the commemoration of the 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 in the city of Alexandria.

=== 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 Baounah (Coptic month), of the year 1684 A.M. (Coptic Calendar of Martyrscalendar), that coincided with Monday the 24th of , [[June24]], 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 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 an official delegation to travel to Rome to receive the relics of St. Mark the Apostle from Pope Paul VI. The papal delegation consisted of ten metropolitans and bishops, seven of them were Coptic and three Ethiopians, and three of the prominent Coptic lay leaders. The Alexandrian delegation received the relics of St. Mark the Apostle on Saturday the 22nd of June, 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 23rd23]]), the Alexandrian Papal 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 papal delegation, the Copts who accompanied the Delegationdelegation, and those who lived in Rome, newspaper and news agency reporters, and many foreign dignitaries attended the liturgy.

On the 18th of Baounah (Coptic month), of the year 1684 A.M. (Coptic Calendar of Martyrscalendar), that coincided with Tuesday the 25th of [[June25]], 1968 A.D., and in the tenth year of the papacy of Pope Kyrillos the Sixth, 116th Pope of Alexandria, the holy Coptic 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 VI and was attended by President Gamal Abdel Naser, President president of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Emperor Haile Selassie the First, Emperor 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 Non-Chalcedonian [[Church of Antioch (Jacobite)|Syriac Orthodox]].

Many momentous speeches were delivered in different languages for this occasion. The speakers were Pope Kyrillos the Sixth, the Patriarch patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox, Cardinal Doval, the head of the Roman Papal 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 president of Egypt and the Emperor 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.

*[http://www.copticchurch.net/synaxarium/08_30.html Coptic Orthodox Synaxarium (Book of Saints)]