The Monastery of Patmos

The Monastery of Patmos It was erected by Hosios Christodoulos in the year of 1088 AD over the ruins of the ancient Temple of goddess Diane (Artemis).According to the Byzantine History ,the Emperor Byzantium of Alexios Comninos helped and assisted the work of Osios Christodoulos the same empiror gave him as well a big part of the island of Leros and the Castle of Leros. It is a building in the form of a mediaeval citadel with walls and battlements. This construction protected the Monastery from pirates’ attacks. The Monastery is situated at the top of the hill, where nowadays is also built the capital town of the island called Chora (or Chora), which town from its height dominates over the whole island. The church dedicated to St. Jean the Theologue is of a Byzantine art. It is decorated with fresco paints of an exceptional art belonging to various periods. It has also a wood curved temple of a marvellous carpentry art. Among the ancient icons of this church is the icon of St. John the Theologue donated by the Emperor Alexios 1st, as well as the icon of St. Nicolas worked in mosaic. The church has two chapels. The located at the right side is dedicated to Hosios Christodoulos of whom the sacred sepulchral relics are lodged into the reliquary of the church. The chapel located at the left side is dedicated to St. Virgin Mary. It is decorated with fresco paints of the 17th century. As it is said, the Sacred Altar of the church is a massive stone from the Temple of goddess Diane. Also in the front yard of the Monastery exists several antique pillars. Inside the Monastery there are also eight small chapels with icons of Byzantine art of a high value.
The treasury of the Monastery
It contains precious relics preserved for a lot of centuries. Among them we can name: sacerdotal garments of bishops woven in gold thread with pretty embroideries and surmounted with precious stones. Into the glass cases there are laying a lot of sacred objects, namely: precious crosses, sacred communion cups, mitres of Emperors and Patriarchs. Among these relics are also comprised: the mitre of Emperor of Byzantium Alexios 1st, the mitre of Neophytos VI, Oecumenique Patriarch, which is made of gold weighing 3 kilos and surmounted with precious stones, a medal Cross of Patriarch Gregory V, a martyr of the Greek Nation.

Patmos for travelers

The closest Airports to Patmos are in Samos , Kos island and Leros Island. So you book a Flight to Samos, Leros or Kos, and travel to Patmos with a Catamaran.
From these islands the fastest way to come to Patmos are the Hydrofoils and the Catamaran.
Patmos is so small it’s a good thing that there is no airport for it would be over crowded with people and the noise pollution would be annoying.
The only way to get to Patmos is by sea.
Please note that these times sometimes do change so contact the Ferry office, travel agencies or port authorities for confirmation. You can also call the PORT AUTHORITIES of Piraeus, for the boat schedules of today and tomorrow to all islands in Greece.
Ferries leave from Gate E1 in Piraeus port daily. Gate E1 is for islands of the Dodecanese, to which Patmos belongs.
Tickets for all ferries are available from the corresponding kiosks across from the boats at the port . Do try to be there early , as some people miss their boats due to queuing for tickets.
For Blue Star Ferries timetables and price visit www.bluestarferries.gr
G.A ferries www.gaferries.gr usually leave between 13.00-15.00 hours.
Timetables are available only for the full tourist season of July – August. They are usually issued late June. These times sometimes change so call the Ferry office to confirm for the boat schedules of today and tomorrow to all islands in Greece.
Flying dolphins
From there you can catch a flying dolphin (hydrofoil) or a small private vessel. Caution: When the wind speed reaches 6-7 Beaufort the flying dolphins (hydrofoils) do not leave the port they are at.
There are also small privately-owned ferry boats from different islands like Lipsi and Lerosusually doing day tours to Patmos, their times change regularly so calling the port authorities is the only way to verify their times. Call travel agencies for more, if any details.