The Church commemorates today Saint Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, Hieromartyr Cyril, Deacon, Martyrs Jonas, and Barachisius.
Saint Mark lived during the 4th century AD and became the Bishop of Arethusa. He took part in the Council of Antioch and of Philippopolis, as well as in the delegation of Bishops, which went to Trevira, France.
He became a great persecutor of paganism and converted many pagans to Christianism with his God-inspired life and preaching.
Christians who had been pagan were urged by Saint Markos to demolish a pagan temple. Emperor Julian the Apostate demanded that the saint either compensate for the damage or rebuild it.
Therefore, when St. Mark was informed of the arrest of many Christians for this event, he presented himself to the authorities who were persecuting him.
The martyrdom and tortures, which St. Mark suffered, are described by Theodoret of Cyrus as a real tragedy. He endured it all with courage and meekness. He continued to thank and glorify the Name of God.
Source: Church of Cyprus