Mark the Evangelist was one of the seventy apostles — those whom Christ chose in the last year of his earthly life, like the first 12, to bring Christian teachings to different peoples. In addition, according to legend, Mark was the nephew of the apostle Barnabas and the spiritual son of the chief apostle Peter, who baptized him. He was also the closest associate of these two apostles and the apostle Paul.
Born in Jerusalem, he preached in Egypt, where he founded a Christian church; in Alexandria he held the rank of bishop and enlightened pagans in Libya, Nektopolis and Africa. In Alexandria, he managed to establish a Christian school and composed a liturgical rite for the Alexandrians.
The Apostle Mark wrote the Second Gospel in Rome, when he visited Paul the Apostle, who was a prisoner there.
According to the testimony of ancient authors, this is the most concise and literary presentation of the stories and sermons of the Apostle Peter. It is addressed to the ordinary pagans who became believers, which explains some of its features. The evangelist focuses on words and deeds, the miraculous nature of Jesus’ acts; the language is simple and accessible, replete with understandable colloquial expressions.
Mark spent his last years of apostolic work in Alexandria, where he became a martyr: having enlightened and baptized many pagans, he thereby aroused hatred in others. During the divine service, the apostle was seized and beaten, thrown into prison, where the Savior appeared to him. The next day, on his way to be judged, he passed away, leaving behind a bishop and three presbyters. An attempt to burn the body of the saint was stopped by a thunderstorm and an earthquake; Christians buried the relics of the evangelist in a stone tomb.
In this icon, the saint is depicted in full length; his head, slightly lowered to the right shoulder, symbolizes humility, his look expresses meekness and kindness. In the right hand he holds the Gospel. The light-ocher chiton and the himation of a dull green shade with bluish highlights are a traditional garment of that era. There is no frame on the left. The image is canonically painted, without many details.
The icon comes from the Nativity Church in Balakhna. It was received by the Local History Museum of the town of Balakhna for permanent storage on February 28, 1977.
Born in Jerusalem, he preached in Egypt, where he founded a Christian church; in Alexandria he held the rank of bishop and enlightened pagans in Libya, Nektopolis and Africa. In Alexandria, he managed to establish a Christian school and composed a liturgical rite for the Alexandrians.
The Apostle Mark wrote the Second Gospel in Rome, when he visited Paul the Apostle, who was a prisoner there.
According to the testimony of ancient authors, this is the most concise and literary presentation of the stories and sermons of the Apostle Peter. It is addressed to the ordinary pagans who became believers, which explains some of its features. The evangelist focuses on words and deeds, the miraculous nature of Jesus’ acts; the language is simple and accessible, replete with understandable colloquial expressions.
Mark spent his last years of apostolic work in Alexandria, where he became a martyr: having enlightened and baptized many pagans, he thereby aroused hatred in others. During the divine service, the apostle was seized and beaten, thrown into prison, where the Savior appeared to him. The next day, on his way to be judged, he passed away, leaving behind a bishop and three presbyters. An attempt to burn the body of the saint was stopped by a thunderstorm and an earthquake; Christians buried the relics of the evangelist in a stone tomb.
In this icon, the saint is depicted in full length; his head, slightly lowered to the right shoulder, symbolizes humility, his look expresses meekness and kindness. In the right hand he holds the Gospel. The light-ocher chiton and the himation of a dull green shade with bluish highlights are a traditional garment of that era. There is no frame on the left. The image is canonically painted, without many details.
The icon comes from the Nativity Church in Balakhna. It was received by the Local History Museum of the town of Balakhna for permanent storage on February 28, 1977.
