(John) Mark, † 1st c.; cousin of Barnabas; associated with Paul and Peter; the gospel ascribed to him (cf. Acts 12:12) is the oldest (written probably prior to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70) and shortest; largely a collection of narratives that depict Jesus as being almost constantly active; presents Jesus as the Son of God whose ministry was marked by a series of mighty works, signs of God's power and kingdom; tradition holds Mark as the first bishop of Alexandria; portrayed as a winged lion (cf. Ezekiel 1); patron of Egypt, of Venice, and of notaries.