St. Mark, the favorite disciple of Peter, composed the second
and shortest of the Gospels. Peter sent Mark to Egypt, where he became
the first bishop of Alexandria. At Alexandria in 67 he was seized at the
altar as he was celebrating Mass and martyred. As he was dragged through
the streets on a rope and battered almost to death with a club, he passed
on before his executioners had the time to stone him. A miraculous rain
extinguished the pyre on which his body was to be burnt up. His corpse
was buried in Alexandria, but purloined by the Venetians in 829. He is
patron of Venice.
The main attributes of St. Mark in fine art are lion (often winged),
quill or pen with other writing instruments, scroll of parchment or book.
See: Fra Angelico. Linaiuoli
Tabernacle: The Evangelist Mark and the Apostle Peter. Linaiuoli
Tabernacle: Peter Preaching with Mark. Linaiuoli
Tabernacle: The Martyrdom of St. Mark.
Benozzo Gozzoli. St.
Mark. The Four Evangelists.
Jacob Jordaens. The
Four Evangelists.
Titian St. Mark
Enthroned with Saints.
St. Mark Enthroned with Saints. St. Mark, Venice's patron
saint, is on a high throne. In front of him are Saints Roch and Sebastian,
on the right, and St. Cosmas and Damian on the left. These were the saints
to whom pleas for a quick end to the plaque would be addressed as well
as prayers of gratitude for the protection they give to the city.
Recommended reading:
The
Book of Saints: The Lives of the Saints According to the Liturgical Calendar
by George Angelini, Victor Hoagland (Editor). Regina Press, Malhame &
Company, 1986.
365
Saints: Your Daily Guide to the Wisdom and Wonder of Their Lives
by Woodeene Koenig-Brick (Author). Harper SanFrancisco, 1995.
The
Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints, Vol. 2: October
by Demetrius, Thomas Marretta. Chrysostom Pr, 1995.