Who Was St. Mark

St. Mark, called John Mark, was born in Cyrene, a lively North African city, around the time of Jesus’ childhood, tradition says between 5–10 AD. Some say his parents, Aristopolus and Mary, were wealthy Jews from the Levite tribe. In their home, young Mark learned Hebrew scriptures and, tradition says, spoke Greek and Latin, growing in faith. But peace didn’t last—some say troubles, like barbarian raids, forced them to move to Jerusalem when Mark was about 10 or 12.

In Jerusalem, a holy city bustling with pilgrims, Mark’s mother, Mary, welcomed Jesus’ followers to their home, where apostles like Peter prayed, as told in Acts 12. Tradition says Mark overheard his parents discussing scriptures with travelers from Galilee, hearing Mary say, “God has a plan through Christ.” This shaped his curious heart. The Coptic Church honors Mark’s African roots, symbolized by a lion in icons, tying him to Egypt’s faith. Some Ethiopian stories link him to their Church through Alexandria, founded by Mark. For Orthodox children, Mark’s early years show how faith in Christ grows, preparing him to share God’s love worldwide.