On April 25, the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, join us for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The Rector, T.J. Freeman, will preach.

The Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist honors the author of the second Gospel and one of the earliest witnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus. The New Testament mentions a disciple named Mark several times—likely the same person who was the cousin of Barnabas and the son of a woman whose house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for the first Christians. Tradition suggests he may even have been the young man who fled from Gethsemane on the night of Jesus’ arrest.

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey but turned back early, causing a brief rift with Paul. In time, however, reconciliation came, and Mark became a trusted companion of both Paul and Peter—whom Peter affectionately called “my son.”

Early Christian tradition, preserved by Papias, identifies Mark as the evangelist who recorded Peter’s memories and teachings in his Gospel. The Church of Alexandria venerates him as its first bishop and martyr, and the great basilica of St. Mark in Venice bears witness to his enduring legacy. Mark’s life—marked by failure, growth, reconciliation, and steadfast witness—reflects the transforming power of God’s grace and the call to proclaim Christ faithfully in every generation.