Patmos

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Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea, most famous for being the location of the vision given to the disciple John in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, and where the book was written.

According to a legend in Greek mythology, the island’s original name was “Letois”, after the goddess and huntress of deer, Artemis, daughter of Leto. It was believed that Patmos came into existence thanks to her divine intervention.

Patmos’ main communities are Chora (the capital city), and Skala, the only commercial port. The total number of houses that were built around the monastery forms a labyrinthine settlement, which thanks to the terraces of the buildings creates a transportation network. Thanks to this network the residents had the ability to quickly access different points of the settlement and support points at risk. The arrangement of the external buildings was such, that created a kind of defensive wall without any opening.

Patmos Island Sightseeing

Cave of the Apocalypse
This sacred, candlelit grotto is believed to be the spot where St John ,received his visions from Christ and transcribed the Book of Revelation, the last chapter of the Christian Bible. Exiled on Patmos in 95 AD, he preached to, baptised and prayed with the island’s inhabitants. Eventually, Patmos came to be considered sacred and the cave became the focal point of a significant religious pilgrimage.

Easter in Patmos
The ritual, customs, the ceremony of the Holy Washbowl and the representation of the Last Supper are several reasons to spend the Easter on the island of Revelation in a climate of special devoutness that exudes the whole formal and ritual of Holy Week.

Kalikatsou
This huge rock juts out of the water and looks like a sculpture in the sea. It is an important archaeological site. Researchers believe it was once a temple of Aphrodite and continued to be a place of worship well into the Christian era. The view from the top is breathtaking, as the Aegean Sea unfolds at your feet.

Patmos Museums & Churches

Churches

Monastery of St John
High on the hill above Chora, The Monastery of St John the Theologian is an important centre of worship. This monastery ,has an significant religious history, rises grandly over the Aegean and dominates the life of Patmos. The monastic community here has existed for over 900 years and the relics, rare documents, icons and other Orthodox treasures in the monastery are invaluable. It was established in 1088 by the Byzantine monk St Christodoulos the Blessed. Each Easter, on the night of The Resurrection, the Holy Light makes it way from Jerusalem to Patmos.

Agion Panton Koumanas

Built at the northern side of the harbour of Patmos, Skala, it is well known as ” The Hermitage of Panagia Koumana”, because of the miraculous icon of Holly Mary. It was built by St. Makario Notara, a Corinthian Bishop, who was a member of the “Kollivades” movement.

He was exiled on Patmos accused of abetting Greek revolutionary actions. St. Makarios was famous for copying manuscripts and codes.

Patmos Traditional Products

The local dairy products and fresh vegetables play an important role in the pastime cuisine. Try the famous Patmos cheese pie, aubergines, chickpeas with fried aubergines, and peppers stuffed with various spices.

Sweet, more impressive are the almonds, the diples, which are covered with local honey syrup, as well as the cubs. The most famous sweet of Patmos, which is necessary for celebrations and weddings, is the pouch, with a leaf and a filling of syrup ,karydopsis and almonds, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Patmos Folklore Festivals and Cultural Events

Religious Feasts & Festivals

Agios Panteleimonas – July 26th

Agios Panteleimonas is a feast on the island of Chiliomodi. From early in the afternoon, boats leave the port of Skala for Chiliomodi with loyal and visitors of the island for the church of Agios Panteleimonas .After the ceremony the feast continues with music dancing and delicious food .

August 15^th

On the day of the Dormition of the Virgin, on August 15th, Patmos celebrates with a big feast at the Monastery of Panagia Geranou, with traditional dancing, singing, and food.

A series of events are organized on the island of Patmos, mainly in Skala, Kambos and in Chora.

September 24th

On the 24th of September, locals celebrate the feast of Agia Thekla. The church dedicated to her, lies on top of a small islet, right across Agriolivadi. Locals arrive there from the early morning hours to enjoy the ceremony and the feast that follows.

Feast of Saint John

The feast of Saint John the Theologian is honored with glorious celebrations in Chora, on May 8th and September 26th.

Cultural Events

Religious Music Festival

Since 2001, the Religious Music Festival is located in Patmos every August and beginning of September. It is an institution that has provided wonderful moments to the audience that has attended its events. The festival is held under the Cave of the Apocalypse, the symbol of Christianity.

Festival of Folklore Dances

The Festival of Folklore Dances in Patmos has become one of the most important institutions for the promotion and dissemination of the Greek cultural. It hosts some of the most beautiful samples of Greek music-dancing tradition. All dancers are dressed in traditional costumes symbolizing the strong connection to the traditional and historic events of each region.

Patmos Beaches

Patmos offers an impressive variety of coasts, bays, harbours, capes, coves and rocks with strange shapes. Like beads on a rosary, beaches succeed one another, each with its own characteristics.

Those accessible by road and vehicle are the following:

Agrio Livadi (or Agriolivado)
Agrio Livadi is an organised, sandy beach with trees, taverns, beach bar, youthful atmosphere and water sports. It is located 4km northeast of Skala and it is famous for its clean waters.

Agios Theologos
Agios Theologos is the beach in the bay of Skala, which leads to Baftistiri of St. John the Theologian. It is not an organized beach, but the trees along its coastline create a place with shade, while in a short distance there are cafes, taverns, restaurants and the municipal park.

Vagia
The pebbled Vagia, on the northeastern part of the island and in a short distance from Campos (1 km. from the bus stop) and 7 km. from Skala, is one of the quietest beaches of the island, with few trees along the coast that offer shade and crystal blue waters. At the top of the bay there is a café that offers cold dishes and desserts.

Grikos
Grikos is a contemporary maritime housing area with a considerable touristic infrastructure. Built on a magical bay that has officially been enlisted as one of the most beautiful bays in the world,.It has a view of the Rock of Kalikatsou and a fully organized beach.

The Unforgettable