Saint of the Day: St. Mark the Hermit

Hermit (d. ca. 400)

His Story

+ Mark—who is sometimes known as “Saint Mark the Ascetic”—was born in Athens, Greece, in the fourth century. He eventually became a monk in Egypt and he loved Scripture so much that it is said that he knew both the Old and New Testaments by heart.

+ Mark became one of the most highly regarded monastic writers of his day, although only nine of his discourses have survived.

+ Eastern Christians once had such a high regard for his writings that they said, “Sell everything you have and go buy the writings of Mark.” Many legends eventually grew up around this holy man and he is honored as a great healer and miracle worker.

+ Saint Mark died around the year 400.

For prayer and reflection

“Do not seek the perfection of the law in human virtues, for it is not found perfect in them. Its perfection is hidden in the Cross of Christ.”—Saint Mark the Hermit

Prayer

O God, who in your kindness called your servant blessed Mark to the following of Christ, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, denying ourselves, we may hold fast to you with all our heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For a Monk)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.