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Patmos (, ) is a Greece island in the Aegean Sea. It is famous as the location where, according to Christian belief, John of Patmos received the vision found in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, and where the book was written.
One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, Patmos has a population of 3,283 (2021) and an area of . The highest point is Profitis Ilias, above sea level. The municipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi (pop. 44), Marathos Island (pop. 5), and several uninhabited islets, has a total population of 3,047 (2011 census) and a combined land area of . It is part of the Kalymnos regional unit.
In 1999, the island's historic center Chora, along with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO because of their significance in Christianity and the preservation of ancient religious ceremonies that occur on the island. The monastery was founded by Christodoulos Latrinos. Patmos is also home to the Patmian School, a notable Greek seminary.
Artemis frequently paid visits to Caria, the mainland across the shore from Patmos, where she had a shrine on Mount Latmus. There she met the moon goddess Selene, who cast her light on the ocean, revealing the sunken island of Patmos.
Selene was always trying to get Artemis to bring the sunken island to the surface and hence to life. Selene finally convinced Artemis, who then gained her brother Apollo's help to persuade Zeus to allow the island to rise from the sea.
Zeus agreed, and the island emerged from the water. The sun dried up the land and brought life to it. Gradually, inhabitants from the surrounding areas, including Mount Latmos, settled on the island and named it "Letois" in honour of Artemis. Patmos – official website Legendary folk tales and mythology. Retrieved on 4 September 2008..]]
During the 3rd century BC, in the Hellenistic period, the settlement of Patmos acquired the form of an acropolis with an improved defence through a fortification wall and towers. Patmos – official website Retrieved on 2008-09-04.
Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Christianity Bible. The book's introduction states that its author, John, was on Patmos when he was given (and recorded) a vision from Jesus. Early Christian tradition identified this writer John of Patmos as John the Apostle.Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 81.4 For this reason, Patmos is a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Visitors can see the cave where John is said to have received his Revelation (the Cave of the Apocalypse), and several monastery on the island are dedicated to Saint John.
After the death of John of Patmos, possibly around 100 AD, a number of Early Christian basilicas were erected on Patmos. Among these was a Grand Royal Basilica in honour of Saint John, built c. 300–350 AD at the location where the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian stands today.
Early Christian life on Patmos, however, barely survived Muslim raids from the 7th to the 9th century. During this period, the Grand Basilica was destroyed. In 1088, the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos gave Christodoulos Latrinos the complete authority over the island of Patmos, as well as the permission to build a monastery on the island. The construction of the monastery started in 1101. Patmos.gr – Patmos history. Retrieved on 7 February 2023.
Population was expanded by infusions of Byzantine Empire immigrants fleeing the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, and Crete immigrants fleeing the fall of Candia in 1669.
The island was controlled by the Ottoman Empire for many years, but it enjoyed certain privileges, mostly related to tax-free trade by the monastery as certified by Ottoman imperial documents held in the Library. Ottoman rule in Patmos ("Batnaz" in Ottoman Turkish) was interrupted by initially Venetian occupation during Candian War between 1659 and 1669, then occupation during Orlov Revolt between 1770 and 1774 and finally during the Greek War of Independence.
In 1912, in connection with the Italo-Turkish War, the Italians occupied all the islands of the Dodecanese (except Kastellorizo), including Patmos. The Italians remained there until 1943, when Nazi Germany took over the island.
In 1945, the Germans left and the island of Patmos remained autonomous until 1948, when, together with the rest of the Dodecanese Islands, it joined the independent Greece.
Forbes magazine, in 2009, named Patmos "Europe's most idyllic place to live", writing that "Patmos has evolved over the centuries but has not lost its air of quiet tranquility, which is one reason why people that know it return again and again".Forbes, webpage:[6].
It has an area of . The highest point is Profitis Ilias, above sea level.
Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city) and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos.
The Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse are among the sites most often visited by pilgrims. However, the beaches and quiet natural beauty have also led to an increase in tourists.
Investors from SMERemediumCap (SMERC) have recently committed 20 million euro to build a luxury hotel situated on the Greek island of Patmos. The aim of this project is to enhance the tourism appeal of the island. This investment is the largest ever made on the island and highlights the commitment of SMERC to promote Patmos as a world-class tourist destination.Nikos, K. (2023, March 29). Patmos: €20m hotel investment to boost island'
As one of the quietest Greek Islands, the island's natural beauty and UNESCO World Heritage monuments, combined with its intense spirituality, have a profound impact on visitors and leave them deeply moved.Times: Andros, Patmos and 8 other islands singled out for a quieter Greek getaway. (2022). TornosNews.GR. https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/trends/47577-uk-times-andros-patmos-and-eight-other-islands-singled-out-for-a-quieter-greek-getaway.html
21st century
In September 2008, the municipality of Patmos refused landing to a group of undocumented refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq when they were taken there for processing and care after a sea rescue. The administration refused them permission to land. Eventually they were sent to the island of Leros where they were processed and given humanitarian aid. Nylou Editorial Interpress Agency: Refugees Kept At Sea
Geography
Patmos is situated off the west coast of Turkey and the continent of Asia. It is one of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex. It is further west than its nearby neighboring islands.
Economy
Tourism
Patmos's economy is largely reliant on tourism during the summer months with Christian pilgrims frequently visiting due to the island's connection with the apostle John and the writing of the Book of Revelation.
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Health
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Infrastructure
Ferry
The Island of Patmos has regular ferry services, which connect it to the following ports: Agathonissi, Mykonos Island, Paros, Piraeus (the main port of Athens), Pythagoreio and Karlovassi on Samos, Syros, Leros, Naxos, Arkoi, Lipsi, Symi and Rhodes.
Notable people
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Patmos is twinned with:
See also
Further reading
External links
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