Description of the attraction
The most significant cultural and religious center of the island of Patmos is the Greek Orthodox monastery of St. John the Evangelist. The grandiose structure rises on a picturesque hill in the capital of the island - Chora.
The monastery was founded in 1088 by the Monk Christodulus with the permission of the Byzantine emperor Alexei I Comnenus. Externally, the monastery looks like a majestic fortification with massive battlements, towers and bastions. Such protection measures were not taken by chance, since during this historical period there was a constant threat of pirate raids and a high probability of an attack by Turkish conquerors. The monastery was built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Artemis, and fragments of the ancient sanctuary were used in the construction of the monastery walls and some internal buildings. The Monk Christodulus became the first abbot of the monastery.
Most of the monastery complex was completed in three years, although in general the construction lasted almost 20 years, and some structures were even built several centuries later. Today on the territory of the monastery there is the main Katholikon (with a magnificent iconostasis and beautiful frescoes), ten chapels and many administrative buildings. In one of the chapels, the relics of the Monk Christodulus are kept.
Of particular interest is the magnificent monastery library (one of the largest Christian libraries in the world), which houses the rarest books, including incunabula, unique manuscripts, valuable historical documents, etc. The main relic of the library is considered to be the Golden Bull or Khrisovul of Alexei I Komnenos, from which the history of the monastery began. The Church Museum (Treasury) is no less interesting. Its exposition presents unique icons, church utensils, magnificent vestments, embroidered with gold and silver threads and adorned with precious stones and other sacred relics.
The monastery of St. John the Theologian is very revered in the religious world, both by Orthodox and Catholics. This magnificent historical monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year it is visited by a huge number of people from all over the world.
