Venice. A city on water, a city of bridges, carnivals, and... saints. The main symbol of Venice is the winged lion. But few know that the lion is the symbol of Saint Mark, and Saint Mark himself... was stolen. More precisely, his relics were smuggled from Alexandria (Egypt) to Venice in 828. This is one of the most daring and successful operations of "relic transfer" in history. So, how two Venetian merchants deceived Muslims, hid an evangelist under pork meat, and made Venice rich and famous.

Who is Saint Mark

Mark is the author of the second Gospel, a companion of the Apostle Peter, the founder of the church in Alexandria. It is believed that he died a martyr's death in 68 AD — he was dragged through the streets of the city to death. Buried in Alexandria. In the 4th century, Christians built a church over his grave.

The symbol of Mark is the winged lion. Why a lion? Because the Gospel of Mark begins with "a voice crying in the wilderness," and the lion is a symbol of strength and sovereignty. In Venice, the winged lion with a book became the city's emblem.

By the 7th century, Alexandria had fallen under Arab Muslim rule. Christians suffered persecution. The relics of Saint Mark were in danger of destruction or desecration. That's when the Venetians appeared.

Venice seeks its own saint

In the 9th century, Venice was not yet a great republic, but already ambitious. It had a problem: unlike Rome, Constantinople, and Ravenna, Venice did not have its own saint, whose relics would rest in the city. And that was important — saints protected the city, attracted pilgrims (read, money), and gave status.

The Venetian Doge (ruler) Giovanni I Partecipazio dreamed of a saint for the basilica he was building (the future Saint Mark's Basilica). In 827, two Venetian merchants — Buono di Tribuno and Rustico di Torcello — set off for Alexandria on trade missions. And perhaps with a secret mission.

Operation "Pork Stew"

Upon arriving in Alexandria, the merchants learned that the relics of Saint Mark were kept in a church guarded by Muslims and Greek monks (who did not want to give up the relic very much). But one of the monks, Theodore, agreed to help for a bribe (or for ideological reasons).

The plan was brilliant. The Venetians bribed the guards at the gates. At night, they stole the relics from the church, placed them in a basket, and covered them with... pork meat. Pork is a taboo for Muslims; they would never touch it. During the search at the exit, the guards disgustedly waved away, not checking the basket. The relics were taken out of Alexandria on a ship.

According to another version, the relics were hidden in a barrel of salted fish — also rotten and unappetizing. The legend says that on the way to Venice, the ship was caught in a storm, but Saint Mark calmed the waves, appearing to the captain.

On January 31, 828, the ship arrived in Venice. The relics were solemnly transferred to a temporary church (later the basilica was built on this site). The Doge himself carried the relics on his shoulders.

What happened next

Saint Mark became the patron of Venice. The winged lion became the symbol of the city. The Basilica of Saint Mark was expanded and decorated, and the relics were placed inside. Venice not only got a saint but also a powerful tourist (then — pilgrimage) flow. The Pope recognized the legality of the "transfer" — at that time, smuggling relics was tolerated.

In 1094, during a fire in the basilica, the relics were "miraculously" found again — hidden from enemies. Since then, they have been resting under the altar in the basilica. Access to them is open to believers.

The Alexandrian church, having lost the relics, protested but was unable to retrieve them. Venice was too powerful.

Smuggling relics as a norm of the Middle Ages

What would be called crime today was a common practice in the Middle Ages. Relics were transported, stolen, given, sold, and exchanged. Every city wanted to have its own saint — he protected from the plague, floods, enemies. Relics attracted pilgrims who left money. Churches with relics received indulgences and concessions from the Pope.

There were even professional "relic transporters" — cunning monks who, for a fee, found remains and processed documents. The most famous case after Venice was the theft of the relics of Saint Nicholas from Myra to Bari (1087). There, too, pork was used, but in a different version.

The Pope did not always approve, but often turned a blind eye — if the city was an ally.

What became of the participants

Buono di Tribuno and Rustico di Torcello became heroes of Venice. They were buried with honors. The descendants of the merchants received privileges. No monuments were erected for them (Venice does not like monuments), but their names are inscribed in the basilica.

The Greek monk Theodore, who helped steal the relics, fled with the Venetians and received a generous payment from them. Later, he went into a monastery near Venice, where he died.

The Muslim guards who took the bribe were most likely executed when the deception was uncovered. But history is silent on this.

Why is this important today

Saint Mark is an integral part of Venice's identity. His feast (April 25) is a state holiday. Venetians believe that he still protects the city from floods (although acqua alta still floods). The winged lion with a book ("Peace be with you, Mark, my evangelist") is the logo of the municipality, the airline, and the football club.

The history of relic smuggling is a source of pride. Even tourists are told this story with a smile. As if, our ancestors were cunning and lucky.

In 2026, it is planned to restore the sarcophagus of Saint Mark in the basilica for the 1200th anniversary of the smuggling (it will be in 2028). Already now, you can see frescoes depicting the theft of the relics — on the ceiling of the basilica. On one fresco, Venetians are loading a barrel with relics onto a ship, and on another — welcoming them in Venice.

What do the Copts (Egyptian Christians) think

The Alexandrian Coptic Church does not recognize the legality of the transfer of relics. They believe that the relics of Saint Mark remain in Egypt (even though they are lost), and in Venice — a forgery. But this does not prevent Catholic pilgrims from worshiping the Venetian relics.

In 1968, part of the relics (presumably) were returned from Venice to Cairo — a gesture of goodwill. They are kept in the Coptic cathedral there. But the disputes continue.

However, Venice is not concerned about this. It has a legend. And it sells it to millions of tourists every year.

Venice and modern smuggling: traditions?

Maritime smuggling in Venice has not stopped. 1200 years later, through the port of Venice, they transport cigarettes, drugs, antiques. Only now, not pork, but cocaine is hidden in containers with tomatoes. And instead of relics — stolen paintings from local churches.

The Venice police are fighting this. But tradition is tradition. Venice has always been a city of merchants who know how to bypass the rules. In 2025, a network of smuggling ancient manuscripts from the Marciana Library was uncovered — right under the nose of Saint Mark!

But the winged lion is silent. He seems to approve.

Conclusion: cunning for the sake of faith

The theft of the relics of Saint Mark is a story of how far people can go, confident in their righteousness. For Venetians, it was an act of saving the relic from "infidels." For Egyptian Christians, it was a robbery. But the fact remains: thanks to this smuggling, Venice became great, and Saint Mark found his famous temple. And if you come to Venice, look up at the winged lion. He will wink at you. He knows the secret.

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