Name day
Mark: Name Day and Patron Saint
Mark keeps the name day on 25 April, or 8 May on the Old Calendar: the feast of St Mark the Apostle.
- Patron saint
- St Mark the Apostle
- New Calendar
- 25 April
- Old Calendar
- 8 May
- Next name day
- 4 May 2027 (New Calendar) · 8 May 2027 (Old Calendar)
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of April · The feasts of May
The patron saint: St Mark the Apostle
Kept on 25 April, or 8 May on the Old Calendar · Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark
St Mark, also called John Mark, was born in Jerusalem. His mother Mary’s house near Gethsemane became a gathering place for the apostles. He was a nephew of Barnabas and a close companion of Peter and Paul. He traveled with them to Cyprus and Rome, and St Peter called him “my son.” In Rome he wrote his Gospel, a concise record of Peter’s preaching that shows forth the power of Christ. He then went to Egypt, founded the Church of Alexandria and its famous catechetical school, and composed a Liturgy for its faithful. The pagans seized him while he was serving and dragged him through the streets. He died saying, “Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” In icons he is shown with a lion, a sign of Christ’s royal might. Orthodox Christians ask his prayers for forgiveness of sins and for strength in their weakness.
What the faithful pray for
- forgiveness of sins
- help and strength in our weaknesses
- deliverance from every sorrow, sin and trouble
- his strong intercession and protection
- remembrance of our heavenly calling and a Christian end of life
Protection
- the faithful in their weakness
- from sorrows and troubles
- the Church against those who would plunder God’s inheritance
Miracles
Other saints named Mark
St Mark
Kept on 19 January, or 1 February on the Old Calendar
Apostle Mark of the Seventy
Kept on 27 September, or 10 October on the Old Calendar
Apostle Mark of the Seventy
Kept on 30 October, or 12 November on the Old Calendar
Mark in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Mark, Marc, Marcus, Marko, Marco, Markos, Marek, Markus, Marcos | Markie |
| Greek | Μάρκος, Markos | |
| Russian | Марк, Mark | |
| Ukrainian | Марко, Marko | |
| Bulgarian | Марко, Marko | |
| Serbian | Марко, Marko | |
| Romanian | Marcu | |
| Arabic | مرقس, Morcos, Marcos, Murqus | |
| Spanish | Marcos | |
| Italian | Marco | |
| Polish | Marek |
Icons of St Mark the Apostle
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you: Consecration, $49.
A name-day gift for Mark
Name-Day Gift Set $213$149
A patron saint's folding diptych chosen by first name, a stainless steel crucifix and a prayer rope, in a gift box with a card giving the saint's life and feast day.
St Mark the Apostle's diptych is chosen and the name is filled in.
Questions
When is Mark’s name day?
Mark keeps the name day on 25 April on the New Calendar and on 8 May on the Old Calendar, the feast of St Mark the Apostle.
Who is the patron saint of Mark?
St Mark the Apostle. St Mark, also called John Mark, was born in Jerusalem.
How is Mark written in other languages?
Greek: Μάρκος (Markos), Russian: Марк (Mark), Ukrainian: Марко (Marko), Bulgarian: Марко (Marko), Serbian: Марко (Marko) and Romanian: Marcu. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Mark?
An icon of St Mark the Apostle, the saint Mark bears: the St Mark the Apostle & Guardian Angel Folding Diptych ($69), or the Name-Day Gift Set ($149) with that diptych, a crucifix and a prayer rope in a gift box.
More about name days
- Name Days Explained: What They Are, How Families Keep Them, and Gifts
A name day is the feast of the saint whose name you carry. Here is how to find yours on either calendar, how Greek and Russian families keep it, and what to give.
- Orthodox Patron Saint: How to Find Yours (by Name, Day or Choice)
Your Orthodox patron saint is the saint whose name you were given at baptism. Here is how to find yours by name, by the day of your birth or baptism, or by choice, and how to keep the name day.
- Find another name