Although he was not a direct disciple of Jesus, Saint Mark is the author of one of the four Gospel accounts and played a vital role in spreading the Gospel as a missionary in the early church. Mark is featured throughout the Basilica in a variety of beautiful domes and chapels.

St. Mark the Evangelist is credited with being the founder of the Church in Africa. At least, that's what the Coptic Church in Egypt and the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria firmly believe. With all that Mark is credited with, though, it seems that there must have been two, perhaps three, men named Mark.