‘Mark is our patron’

Last Sunday, members of Saint Mark Anglican Church in Blantyre observed the Patron’s Day when they celebrated the life of Mark. In this interview, JAMES CHIMPWEYA talked to Father Chanju Banda, parish priest for Saint Mark’s Anglican Church, on the meaning of the day.

Tell me something about Saint Mark

Saint Mark was a writer and evangelist and because of the reference to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE (Mark 13:2), most scholars believe that the book of Mark was written some time during the war between Rome and the Jews. Most early dates fall around 65 CE and latest around 75 CE. Those who favour an earlier date argue that Mark’s language indicates that the author knew that there would be serious trouble in the future but unlike Luke he didn’t know exactly what that trouble would entail. Of course, it wouldn’t have taken divinely inspired prophecy to guess that the Romans and Jews were on yet another collision course.

Why do Anglicans observe these patrons?

In the Anglican, setting it is a tradition that a particular church has a patron and for us we chose Saint Mark and we observe him every April 25 but this year we are observing this day on April 28.

So how do you celebrate the day?

The past years, we used to hold get-togethers where members of the church would eat together after church services. We would also assist less privileged people among our members.

What about this year?

This year, we thought of honouring him as an evangelist. That is why we cheered and preached to the sick at the TB Ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.