St Marks' Day!
One of the four Gospel writers, along with Matthew, Luke and John. They've traditionally been represented by different winged animals - ox or calf, eagle, person and lion - images that come from the book of Isaiah.
Different people over the centuries have matched up the symbols and the Evangelists differently.
Perhaps most commonly, Mark has been the lion.
The symbol reminds us to have courage in our faith and, as the lion is 'the king of beasts', also reminds us of the royalty of Christ ('Hosanna to the king!', as we heard people cry on Palm Sunday).
The lion is partly Mark's symbol because the Gospel of Mark begins by quoting Isaiah, attaching these words of his to John the Baptist: 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness' - the voice crying out in the wilderness has reminded many people of the roar of a lion.
For a beautiful illustration of these symbols, here's a page from The Book of Kells.
A quote from C.S. Lewis to ponder...
"I was quite safe. That is why the Lion kept on my left. He was between me and the edge all the time."
(from The Horse and His Boy)
♫ One about the Gospel, another lion-related, just for fun:
We have a Gospel to proclaim
The lion sleeps tonight (Hippo and Dog)
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