Martyrdom and Miracles

Martyrdom in Egypt

St. Mark’s faith shone like a lion in his final days. Around 68 AD, tradition says on Easter, he led prayers in Alexandria’s Baucalis church. Some say pagans, upset over a Serapis festival, burst in and tied him up during Liturgy. They dragged him through the streets, hurting him badly, shouting, “Drag the dragon!” Mark didn’t fear—he sang and prayed to Christ, asking forgiveness for them, as Coptic martyrs do.

That night in prison, tradition says Christ appeared, glowing, saying, “Peace, my faithful Mark,” giving him calm. The next day, they dragged him again until he suffered greatly and died. Some say a sudden storm—rain, hail, lightning—scattered the crowd, saving his body from burning. His friends buried him under the altar, his sacrifice strengthening Egypt’s faith, with relics now at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Cairo. Copts honor him as their first pope; Ethiopians praise his courage through Alexandria’s Church. For Orthodox children, Mark’s love for Christ, taught in Sunday school, shows faith wins over hate.

Lesson 6 of 20

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