Mark the Evangelist was a first-century Christian figure traditionally credited with writing the second Gospel. Often identified as John Mark, he is recognized in church tradition as the founder of the church in Alexandria, where he served as its first bishop. While modern scholars debate the specific identity of the Gospel's anonymous author, religious tradition holds that Mark recorded the teachings of the apostle Peter. He is celebrated as a foundational figure in early Christianity, particularly within the traditions of Africa and the Mediterranean.