Marcus Eremita
Encyclopedia
Marcus Eremita was a Christian theologian and ascetic writer of some importance in the fifth century.
Mark is rather an ascetic than a dogmatic writer. He is content to accept dogmas from the Church; his interest is in the spiritual life as it should be led by monks. He is practical rather than mystic, belongs to the Antiochene School and shows himself to be a disciple of John Chrysostom
.
at Ancyra; he then as an old man left his monastery and became a hermit
, probably in the desert east of Palestine, near St. Sabas. He was a contemporary of Nestorius
and died probably before the Council of Chalcedon
(451).
Nicephorus Callistus (fourteenth century) says he was a disciple of John Chrysostom. Cardinal Bellarmine thought that this Mark was the monk who prophesied ten more years of life to the Emperor Leo VI in 900. He is refuted by Tillemont.
Another view supported by the Byzantine Menaia identifies him with the Egyptian monk mentioned in Palladius
, who lived in the fourth century. The discovery and identification of a work by him against Nestorius by P. Kerameus makes his period certain, as defended by Kunze.
According to a brief entry in the "Great Synaxaristes
" of the Orthodox Church, his feast day is observed on May 20
.
All the above works are named and described in the "Myrobiblion" and are published in Gallandi's collection. To them must be added:
Of these (8) is now considered spurious.
Mark is rather an ascetic than a dogmatic writer. He is content to accept dogmas from the Church; his interest is in the spiritual life as it should be led by monks. He is practical rather than mystic, belongs to the Antiochene School and shows himself to be a disciple of John Chrysostom
John Chrysostom
John Chrysostom , Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic...
.
Identification
Various theories about his period and works have been advanced. According to Johannes Kunze, Mark the Hermit was superior of a lauraLavra
In Orthodox Christianity and certain other Eastern Christian communities Lavra or Laura originally meant a cluster of cells or caves for hermits, with a church and sometimes a refectory at the center...
at Ancyra; he then as an old man left his monastery and became a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
, probably in the desert east of Palestine, near St. Sabas. He was a contemporary of Nestorius
Nestorius
Nestorius was Archbishop of Constantinople from 10 April 428 to 22 June 431.Drawing on his studies at the School of Antioch, his teachings, which included a rejection of the long-used title of Theotokos for the Virgin Mary, brought him into conflict with other prominent churchmen of the time,...
and died probably before the Council of Chalcedon
Council of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
(451).
Nicephorus Callistus (fourteenth century) says he was a disciple of John Chrysostom. Cardinal Bellarmine thought that this Mark was the monk who prophesied ten more years of life to the Emperor Leo VI in 900. He is refuted by Tillemont.
Another view supported by the Byzantine Menaia identifies him with the Egyptian monk mentioned in Palladius
Palladius of Galatia
Palladius of Galatia was bishop of Helenopolis in Bithynia, and a devoted disciple of Saint John Chrysostom. He is best remembered for his work, the Lausiac History; he was also, in all probability, the author of the Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom....
, who lived in the fourth century. The discovery and identification of a work by him against Nestorius by P. Kerameus makes his period certain, as defended by Kunze.
According to a brief entry in the "Great Synaxaristes
Synaxarium
Synaxarion, Synexarion, pl. Synaxaria —Latin: Synaxarium, Synexarium—the name given in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches to a compilation of hagiographies corresponding roughly to the martyrology of the Roman Church.There are two kinds of synaxaria:*Simple...
" of the Orthodox Church, his feast day is observed on May 20
May 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
May 19 - Eastern Orthodox Church calendar - May 21All fixed commemorations below celebrated on June 2 by Old Calendarists-Saints:* Saint Lydia of Thyatira , mentioned in Acts 16:14-15, * Saint Plautilla the Roman, martyr,...
.
Works
Mark's works are traditionally the following:- (1) of the spiritual law,
- (2) Concerning those who think to be justified through works (both ascetic treatises for monks);
- (3) of penitence;
- (4) of baptism;
- (5) To Nicholas on refraining from anger and lust;
- (6) Disputation against a scholar (against appearing to civil courts and on celibacy);
- (7) Consultation of the mind with its own soul (reproaches that he makes Adam, Satan, and other men responsible for his sins instead of himself);
- (8) on fasting and humility;
- (9) on Melchisedek (against people who think that Melchisedek was an apparition of the Word of God).
All the above works are named and described in the "Myrobiblion" and are published in Gallandi's collection. To them must be added:
- (10) Against the NestoriansNestorianismNestorianism is a Christological doctrine advanced by Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople from 428–431. The doctrine, which was informed by Nestorius's studies under Theodore of Mopsuestia at the School of Antioch, emphasizes the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus...
(a treatise against that heresy arranged without order).
Of these (8) is now considered spurious.