The Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

ST MARK, EVANGELIST.
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St Mark is the acclaimed writer of the Second Gospel. He is given the Lion as his symbol because he begins his account of the Lord's ministry with John the Baptizer's activity in the desert:

"The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you. A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. John the Baptizer was in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." 

- Mark 1: 1-4

The following are some important details about St Mark:

[1] He is identified with John Mark and the Mark who is the cousin of St Barnabas [see Colossians 4:10].

[2] He is considered to be among the Seventy Disciples whom the Lord appointed to go to the various villages of Judea [see Luke 10:1].

[2] He is identified with the young man who followed the Lord Jesus after He was arrested and when confronted by the guards escaped naked leaving behind his only covering, a linen cloth [see Mark 14: 51-52].

[3] He is believed to be the son of Mary, the owner of the house where the Christians meet together in Jerusalem [see Acts 12:12].

[4] He was brought along by St Paul and St Barnabas in their missionary journey [see Acts 12: 25] but left them at Perga in Pamphylia and went back to Jerusalem [see Acts 13:13]. This action of St Mark was disliked by St Paul and when he asked St Barnabas that they visit the places where they have established churches and St Barnabas suggested to bring along St Mark once again, St Paul objected because of what he did in Perga and when St Barnabas insisted, they had a sharp dispute and decided to part ways [see Acts 15: 36-39].

[5] He became St Peter's companion, disciple and interpreter. According to Patristic tradition, he was present during St Peter's preaching hence the Gospel he wrote was written through the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. It also has the distinction of being written for a Roman audience, or to Western Christianity.

[6] He became reconciled with St Paul and during the latter's first imprisonment, he was with St Paul [see Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24] and even requested his presence during St Paul's second captivity [see 2 Timothy 4:11].

[7] He established the Church in Alexandria, which became one of the Patriarchal seats of Christianity. He was martyred there. The See of Alexandria is now part of the Coptic Orthodox Church. 

For more about St Mark, visit the following sites

[a] Catholic Online

[b] Catholic Culture