E06893: The Greek Martyrdom of *Mark the Evangelist (S00293) recounts his preaching in different cities of Libya and Egypt, his pursuit and capture by pagans in Alexandria, and his torture and death by dragging through the city. Written presumably in Alexandria, and possibly in the 5th century.

Martyrdom of Markos (BHG 1035)

Summary:

1. Saint Markos the Evangelist arrives in Egypt to preach the Gospel. He Christianises Egypt, Libya, Marmarica, Ammoniaca, and the Pentapolis, where paganism prevailed until then.

2. Through his preaching activity and healing miracles, Markos, a native of Cyrene of the Pentapolis, converts several people of this city to Christianity. Thereupon, they demolish pagan statues.

3-4. Christ appears to him in a vision and exhorts him to head to Alexandria and continue his preaching ministry there. He travels by ship and finally arrives at the place called Bennidion (Βεννίδιον) [Mendion/Μένδιον in BHG 1036] in order to enter the city. He encounters a shoemaker who after their contact becomes a Christian. The shoemaker, named Anianos, invites Markos to his home, where the latter preaches the Gospel.

5. Because of Markos’ words and deeds against paganism, the men of the city (οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως) decide to kill him. Markos, who is informed of their malicious plans, appoints Anianos as bishop, ordains three priests (Milioos, Sabinos and Kerdon), seven deacons and eleven other ecclesiastics, and then leaves the city to take refuge in the Pentapolis. During his stay there, he also ordains clerics and bishops. Two years later, Markos returns to Alexandria and is pleased with the erection of a Christian church in the area of the city called Boukolou (ἐν τοῖς καλουμένοις Βουκόλου).

6-7. While Christianity continues to gain ground, pagans try to find Markos and put an end to his preaching. Finally, on Easter Sunday, they locate him in the church and apprehend him. After dragging him through the streets with a rope around his neck, they commit him to prison until they decide how they should execute him.

8-9. An angel sent by God appears in prison and assures Markos that he will soon lead a life in heaven, while his relics will be kept safe. Indeed, the next day pagan people punish him by dragging him around the city until he dies.

10. At a place called 'the Angels' (Angeloi) (εἰς τοὺς καλουμένους Ἀγγέλους), his pagan enemies set his body on fire. A heavy storm breaks out, and the persecutors abandon the place through fear. Pious men collect his relics and transfer them to the place where they used to lead their prayers.

11. Christian people perform all the funerary rites in Alexandria, and the remains of Markos’ body are preserved as the first ‘treasure’ in the city (πρῶτον κημήλιον [sic] ἐν Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ).

12. Markos died in Alexandria on April 25, under the reign of Gaius Tiberius Caesar.

Text: AASS, April. III, xlvi–xlvii (3rd ed. xxxviii-xl).
Summary: C. Papavarnavas.