Traditionally, Venice was first evangelised by Saint Mark himself and many Venetians made the pilgrimage to Mark's grave in Alexandria, Egypt. According to tradition, Giustiniano ordered merchants, Buono di Malamocco and Rustico di Torcello, to corrupt the Alexandrine monks which guarded the body of the evangelist and steal it away secretly to Venice.
Traditionally, Venice was first evangelized by Saint Mark himself, and many Venetians made pilgrimages to his grave in Alexandria, Egypt. According to tradition, Emperor Justinian ordered merchants Buono di Malamocco and Rustico di Torcello to bribe the monks guarding the body of the evangelist and steal it from Alexandria and bring it to Venice.