Venerable Mark the Faster (V)

The Venerable Mark the Faster (V) laboured in the Nitrian desert of Egypt. From childhood his favourite occupation was reading Holy Scripture. According to tradition he knew the whole Bible by heart. It is also known that the Venerable Mark heard the sermons of Saint John Chrysostom. Many teachings written by Saint Mark have come down to us. The Venerable Mark was distinguished by humility and holiness. For his particular abstinence he was called the Faster.