Mark of Josiah

Mark of Josiah is conversing animatedly with Judas Iscariot (GRM 368.12).

Disciple of Gerasa. One of those who were delivered, at Gamala, from the demon "Legion" sent into the herd of pigs. (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. 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.

"He has become like mad for some time now, and he has destroyed the faith that Gerasa cultivated for You, thanks to You and to him, by speaking infamies about you. And he goes before you to the ford of Jericho, harming you!"

Apostolic Journey

After Mark's relapse, his mother comes to ask Jesus to save him:

"Through your suffering the soul you love will be saved. He will return to God. Do not weep," says Jesus. "But when?" asks his mother. "When your tears have mingled with my Blood."

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.

His Name

Name, or rather nickname, of Latin origin. It means "little martyr".

Where is he mentioned in the work?

GRM 186

GRM 288

GRM 338 GRM 353 GRM 354 GRM 358 GRM 368 GRM 369

GRM 450

Notes and references

Note: Quotations from the work of Maria Valtorta on this page currently use machine-translated text and will gradually be replaced by the official English translation. Until then, the official translation may be consulted through the reference link provided with each quotation.