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.
Agnolo Bronzino. St. Mark.
Jacob Jordaens. The Four
Evangelists.
Jacopo Robusti, called Tintoretto. Miracle
of the Slave. Discovery
of the Body of St.Mark. Translation
of the Body of St. Mark.
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.