Mark of Arethusa

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Mark of Arethusa (* ~ 300; † March 29, 362 ) was a bishop in Arethusa (Syria) near today's Homs (Edessa), martyr and saint (Memorial Day: March 29 ).

He took part in the Synod of Serdica (Sardica, today Sofia ) in 343 , in the Synod of Sirmium ( Sirmium near Sremska Mitrovica ) in 352 , at which he wrote a creed that called the "Jota dispute" (Christ is "homoousios" (godlike) or "homo i ousios" (god-like)) and was falsely accused of Arianism , which is why Cesare Baronio deleted his holiday from the Martyrologium Romanum (Rome 1586). He was later rehabilitated.

Under Emperor Constantine I , he destroyed a pagan temple in Arethusa , had to flee under Emperor Julian ( Christian persecution flared up again since 361), but returned because some members of his Christian community had been imprisoned for the destroyed temple. He was tortured in public in 362 by being tied naked to a stake and rubbed with honey . He was adamant and unwilling to pay a coin to rebuild the temple. Because of his loyalty to his faith and his fellow Christians, he is said to have been pardoned by Emperor Julian, according to another reading he was martyred on the stake. The lured insects ( wasps , bees ) killed him with their stings ( insect venom ; see also scaphism ).

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personal data
SURNAME Mark of Arethusa
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Missionary and bishop
DATE OF BIRTH 3rd century or 4th century
DATE OF DEATH March 29, 362
Place of death Arethusa (Syria) near Homs