Mark was the travelling companion of the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey. After Paul’s departure, Mark went to Rome with Peter and as Peter’s secretary wrote his gospel, which is considered to be the oldest of the four gospels. Mark later preached the gospel in Libya and founded a Christian congregation in Alexandria, where he died a martyr’s death.

The attribute of Mark is a (winged) lion, probably because his gospel stresses the royal dignity of Christ as the Lion of Judah. As an evangelist and Peter’s secretary, he holds a writing quill and a book.

St. Mark’s Day, ‘markusepäev’, is 25 April in the folk calendar.