Mark of Josiah
Disciple of Gerasa. One of those who were delivered, at Gamala, from the demon "Legion" sent into the herd of pigs. [1] (the other is Demetrius of Sidon). Having become a disciple of Jesus, he evangelizes with zeal and effectiveness, including in the city of Gerasa, his homeland.[2] However, he withdraws after the discourse on the Bread of Life, no longer agreeing with Jesus' positions regarding the world. He then becomes possessed again and violent, making his father Josias ill and terrifying his mother, who comes to supplicate Jesus at Pella.
"For some time he has become like a madman again [...] He came… he destroyed the faith that Gerasa had for You through Your merit and his, and he spoke infamously of You. And he is preceding You towards the ford of Jericho, doing harm to You!"[3]
Apostolic Journey
After Mark's relapse, his mother comes to ask Jesus to save him:
- "The soul you love will be saved through your suffering. You are expiating for him, and with such righteous intention that you are the indulgence of your son. He will go back to God. Do not weep."
- "But when? When?"
This new possession is dreadful in that he is possessed by an intelligent demon with a disturbing dialectic. Jesus meets him at the Golden Gate of the Temple in Jerusalem and tries in vain to make him return:
"But near the Golden Gate they meet Mark of Josiah, the faithless disciple, who is speaking animatedly to Judas Iscariot. Judas sees the Master coming and he tells his companion, who turns around when Jesus is already behind him. Their eyes meet. What a glance Jesus casts at him! But he is now deaf to all holy power. In order to run away at once, he almost pushes Jesus against a column. And Jesus reacts only by saying: «Mark, stop. Have mercy on your soul and on your mother!» «Satan!» shouts the other. And he goes away."[5]
His Name
Name, or rather nickname, of Latin origin. It means "little martyr".