Marko Krizin

Saint Marko Stjepan Krizin was born around 1588 in Križevci, in the Kingdom of Croatia. Gifted in mind and spirit, he studied with the Jesuits in Vienna and continued at the University of Graz, earning a doctorate in philosophy. Preparing for the priesthood for the Diocese of Zagreb, he went to Rome and lived at the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum while studying at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he openly identified himself as Croatian. After his ordination he returned briefly to his homeland, then was called north by Cardinal Péter Pázmány to serve the Church in troubled times, becoming rector of a seminary and a cathedral canon. In 1619 he was sent near Košice to administer former abbey lands, just as conflict flared between Catholic and Calvinist forces. When Košice fell to a Calvinist army, Marko was arrested with two Jesuit priests. Offered safety and reward if he renounced the Catholic faith, he refused. After days without food or water, the three were tortured and beheaded on September 7, 1619. He is venerated as a martyr and is patron of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bjelovar-Križevci. His feast day is September 7.