Saint Mark the Evangelist: Apostle of Light and the Celebration of Bright Friday

In the liturgical life of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the joy of Pascha (Easter) overflows into an entire week known as Bright Week, a period marked by radiant celebration, open church doors, and unceasing hymns of resurrection. Within this luminous context, the Church commemorates Saint Mark the Apostle and Evangelist on Bright Friday, weaving together the light of the Resurrection with the life and legacy of one of the four Evangelists.

Who is Saint Mark?
Saint Mark, also known as John Mark, is traditionally recognized as the author of the second Gospel and a companion of both the Apostle Paul and later the Apostle Peter. He was born in Jerusalem and is believed to have been among the Seventy Apostles sent out by Christ (Luke 10:1). According to Church tradition, Mark's Gospel reflects the teachings and recollections of Peter, making his account a vivid and action-filled narrative of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

But Saint Mark was more than just a Gospel writer. He was also a missionary, theologian, and bishop, most notably remembered as the founder of the Church in Alexandria, where he is revered as the first bishop and a martyr. His legacy continues to resonate deeply in the Coptic Orthodox Church, which traces its apostolic succession back to him, and he is equally honored in the Byzantine liturgical tradition.

Saint Mark in the Orthodox Church
In the Orthodox Church, Saint Mark is commemorated with deep reverence as both an Apostle and an Evangelist. He is one of the four sacred authors of the Gospels—each represented by a symbolic creature in Christian iconography. Mark is traditionally associated with the lion, an image that captures the bold and kingly proclamation of Christ as the Son of God that echoes through his Gospel.

Liturgical texts dedicated to Saint Mark praise his zeal, his apostolic authority, and the divine inspiration with which he wrote the Gospel. He is called a "preacher of the divine word," a "harp of the Spirit," and a "fellow laborer of Peter," highlighting both his personal sanctity and his unique role in the spread of Christianity.

Bright Friday: A Feast within the Feast
Bright Friday is no ordinary commemoration. Falling on the Friday of Bright Week, it is saturated with the joy of Christ’s Resurrection. In Orthodox tradition, every day of Bright Week is liturgically treated as if it were Pascha itself, with the doors of the altar remaining open and the hymns of the Resurrection sung with full voice.

While Saint Mark’s feast can fall on other dates in different traditions (e.g., April 25 in the West), the Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates him on Bright Friday—an intentional and meaningful placement. It’s a celebration of the one who proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ and helped ensure that the Gospel would be passed down to every generation. His life becomes an icon of the Resurrection itself: the courage to go out into the world, the power to preach truth in hostile lands, and the ultimate victory in martyrdom.

On Bright Friday, the Paschal joy is uniquely deepened by the memory of Saint Mark. The Church proclaims, not only, “Christ is Risen!” but also celebrates the one who boldly bore witness to that truth in both word and deed.

A Reflection for Today
Saint Mark's feast during Bright Week invites the faithful to embrace their own calling as evangelists of the Resurrection. His life is a challenge to modern Christians: Will we be courageous like Mark? Will we carry the message of Christ into the world with clarity, passion, and love?

In a world often shrouded in doubt and despair, Saint Mark’s Gospel—and his life—remind us that the light of the Resurrection is real, powerful, and meant to be shared.

Apolytikion of Apostle and Evangelist Mark
Third Tone
O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

​Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, pray to God for us!