According to tradition, Saint Mark the Evangelist was the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Here’s a time line constructed from the Acts of the Apostles and Eusebius’ Church History.

• 41-44 Mark traveled to Alexandria, Egypt in the first years of Claudius (Eusebius). This is not mentioned in Acts, but it seems that the Chruch fled Jerusalem after the martyrdom of James the Greater in about 42. This is also the window in which tradition places Peter’s first visit to Rome.
• 46-47 Mark with Paul and Barnabas in Jerusalem, Antioch (Acts 12:25), and Salamis (Acts 13:5)
• 49/50 Mark in Antioch when he split from Paul and went to Cyprus (Acts 15:39). From there, Mark returns to Alexandria, Egypt where he leads the Church of Alexandria as bishop.
• 61-62 Mark appoints Bishop Anianus as the lead bishop of Alexandria in the eight year of Nero (Eusebius)

That’s all we know for sure. Eusebius doesn’t say that Mark died in 61/62 only that he left Anianus in charge of Alexandria.

I would like to suggest that Mark was called to Rome in 61/62 to serve closely with Peter. Why do I say this? Well, Mark was with Peter “in Babylon” (1 Pet 5:13), which is a code for “in Rome.” Thus, Mark must have left Egypt and traveled to Rome.

However, Mark must have then been dispatched again because he seems to be near Saint Timothy in the regions of Ephesus by the mid-to-late 60s, because Saint Paul asked Timothy to send Mark to him (2 Tim 4:11).

So here’s my suggested chronology:

• 41-44 Mark traveled to Alexandria in the first years of Claudius (Eusebius) which was the time of the first persecution of Christians in Jerusalem
• 46-47 Mark with Paul and Barnabas in Jerusalem, Antioch (Acts 12:25), and Salamis (Acts 13:5)
• 49/50 Mark in Antioch when he split from Paul and went to Cyprus (Acts 15:39). Mark then goes to Alexandria (speculation here).
• 50-61 Mark serves as Apostolic delgate or “bishop” of Alexandria (Eusebius).
• 61/62 Mark appoints Bishop Anianus as the lead bishop of Alexandria in the eight year of Nero (Eusebius)
• 61/62 Mark then goes to Rome where he serves with Peter (1 Pet 5:13) and writes the Gospel of Mark based on Peter’s Roman preaching (Papias).
• 63-66 Mark then tours the churches of Asia Minor (2 Tim 4:11) in proximity to Timothy; meanwhile Paul goes to Spain
• 66/67 Paul (who is preparing for impending martyrdom) recalls Mark to Rome (2 Tim 4:11).
• Soon after, Mark returned to Alexandria because tradition says that he was martyred there by being dragged around the city. I wager that this happened before AD 70.

Thoughts?