Patmos GreeceWhether you love Patmos Greece for its Orthodox or western Christian identity, and many do, or for its holiday pleasures of sun, sand and sea, it is a truly wonderful island with loads to do and many of places of interest to visit. It was here, where St. John received his vision from God and wrote of the apocalypse in the final book of the Bible, Revelations. The 'Cave of Revelation' lies between Chora and Skala and is where St. John had his vision. There is a crack in the roof where Jesus appeared before him and subsequently, John dictated the details of the vision to his disciple Prochorus.
During the time of the Romans, Patmos was utilised as an ideal detention centre for exiles, hence St. John's arrival on the island. He was banished from Ephesus for witnessing and preaching the Christian faith in AD95; he stayed for two years. By the year 1088, the island was more or less uninhabited during Byzantine years and was handed over to Agios Christodoulos of Latros, a monk who initiated the planning process for the future monastery. Later in the century, work started on the monastery (monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos), and its power at that time extend over the island's borders, to such an extent that the island was never occupied by neither Turks nor Venetians. The only attacks came from pirates now and again. It has the appearance of a huge fortress, overseeing Chora. In fact, it was built as a fortress in the 16th century, since the island needed some sort of defense when pirates attacked. Interestingly, when you visit the monastery you can also take a look at the church, the Treasury and the museum.
The Monastery Zoodochos Pigi of Patmos: Zoodochos Pigi means “life giving source”. The Convent of Zoodochos Pigi, was founded by the monk Parthenios Pankosta, under the patriarch Timothy the 2nd and is located southwest of St. John's Monastery. It was built in 1607 and lies in Chora. Sometimes it may be visited, but the most active convent is outside the village and is called Evangelismos. At present approximately fifteen nuns work diligently with the art of needlework and embroideries of clerical vestments in the convent of Zoodochos Pigi. They are also involved in social welfare activities. The nuns live under the strict rules and values of their faith. Celebration on the Friday after Easter is a notable ritual in this convent.
On a note of cultural advice, try to ensure you are dressed appropriately: women should wear long skirts and have covered shoulders, men should wear long trousers. Not doing so, is a sign of disrespect, and it will almost certainly make the occupants of these wonderful shrines feel a little awkward at best. Whilst the island of Patmos is not big, it is one of the better known. It has a breathtaking coastline with beautiful bays, beaches and villages that will delight you for their idyllic way of life. It has 3000 inhabitants and the resorts are not at all commercialised. Steeped in history and spirituality, you will be drawn back to this island again and again.
Being part of the Dodecanese archipelago , the island of Patmos is close to Leros and Samos, Kalymnos and Kos. You can arrive by ferry service from Piraeus Athens, Rhodes or private charters from Kos and Kalymnos. If you want to fly then you can arrive on the island of Patmos via Athens or Kos and a ferry from Kalymnos. There are many wonderful places to visit and we will look at a few places of interest here. One of my favourites is the little village of Stavros, just outside Skala. There you can enjoy a sandy/pebbly expanse of beach with a few sunbeds and very little else.
There are some very reasonable hotels and guest accommodations in Patmos, throughout the various resorts and villages, if you click on a particular resort, we will try to give you a fair list of places to stay that will suit everybody's budget, from 5* hotels to good value reasonably priced studios and apartments that have been recommended to us. |
