St. Aninanus, second bishop of Alexandria (86)

Commemorated on April 25

When St Mark the Apostle first came to Alexandria, he tore one of his shoes and took it to a cobbler. While the cobbler, whose name was Aninanus, was working, he drove his awl through his hand, injuring himself badly. The Apostle mixed dust with his spittle and anointed the hand, which immediately became whole. Amazed at the miracle, Aninanus invited St Mark to his house, listened to him as he proclaimed the Gospel, believed, and was baptized along with his household. Such was Aninanus' zeal for the Gospel that St Mark made him bishop of the Christians in the city. He was the second Bishop of Alexandria.