Description

St. Mark lived during the first century AD and is traditionally believed to have been martyred in Alexandria around AD 63–68. He is commonly identified with John Mark in the Book of Acts, a relative of St. Barnabas and a companion of Sts. Peter and Paul.

St. Mark carried the Gospel to Egypt and is revered as the founder and first bishop of the Church of Alexandria. According to Alexandrian tradition, he was seized by pagans and martyred for refusing to abandon Christ. His icon commonly shows him holding the Gospel, while the winged lion serves as his evangelistic symbol. The lion recalls the voice crying in the wilderness at the beginning of his Gospel and expresses the royal authority and victorious Resurrection of the Christ whom Mark proclaimed.

Icon Source & Historical Details

Location: Benaki Museum, Athens

Iconographer: Emmanuel Tzanes

Date: 17th century

Tradition: Cretan

(If you believe any of the details above to be inaccurate, let us know through the contact form.)