Saint John Evangelist and the Apocalypse cave in Patmos, Greece
Destinations
Chances are that you heard about the apocalypse. For the same reasons you probably heard in a different contest than the biblical terms and from where originally generated. Apocalypse is a Greek word that means revelation. While St. John the evangelist was in exile in the island of Patmos forced by the roman emperor to leave the city of Ephesus and live in the island of Patmos as a prisoner.
St. John was an old man then he arrived in the 95 AD and stayed in the island almost two years. He was only allowed to go back to Ephesus when Emperor Domitian died.
During his stay in the island in Patmos he preached to the local people and he converted many to the new Christian religion and baptized them in the sea. St. John use part of the day to pray and choose a little cave not too far from the main settlement to be able to be left alone and concentrate in the prayers. In one of this occasion he received the message of God with the revelation. Jesus appeared as an old man with angels, the key of heaven and the underworld, seven chandelier symbols of the seven churches of minor Asia, today Turkey.
Always with him his disciple Prochorus, who will later write the last chapter of the gospel of St. John inside the cave.
Two of the most best seller souvenirs for pilgrim is the icon of St. John with the gospel on his hand or St. John with his disciple Prochorus while dictating what he saw in the vision of the revelation.
Visitors to the cave have access from the lower entrance of the monastery that have direct access to the chapel dedicated to St. Anne which was built in honour of the grandmother of Jesus. The mother of the byzantine Emperor that gave the island to St. Christodulos was also Anna. Next to it there is the cave with in the corner behind the fence the place where St. John would pray and where he would put his hand to stand up. Both places have a silver corniche to remind the pilgrim the holiness of this place. The cave is also a Greek orthodox church where liturgy is offered every day. The island of Patmos is part of the Dodecanese islands which belong with Mt. Athos and Crete to the Patriarch of Costantinopoli, today Istanbul.
St. John Monastery in Chora is built like a fortress to prevent pirates to attack. The churches inside and refertory are richly decorated with frescos. The iconostasi of the Catholikon the main church has been donated by the Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. In a small chapel the relics are kept including the body of St. Christodulous who died in the island of Evia but was taken back to Patmos as a final personal wish. The museum offer a collection of icons and books documenting the rich history of the monastery in more than 10 centuries.
The Cave of the Apocalypse and St John monastery are UNESCO world heritage sites.
Orthodox in pilgrimage can ask for permission to the Abbot at least a day before to take part of the liturgy in the early hours of the day. Service start at 4am.
Other sites interesting for the pilgrims are apart of the Cave of the Apocalypse and the St. John Monastery in Chora. The monastery of Zeodocho Pigi in Chora. Monastery of Evaggelismos outside Chora. Monastery of Koumana in Skala bay. Church of Panagia Geranou at the end of the island. The hermitage of Profitis Elias as the highest point of the island with an incredible view, the hermitage is always close except for the celebration St. Elias on July 20th.
The cave is open everyday in the morning till 13:00 (1. Pm). During the summer season it also open on Tuesday and Saturday afternoon to accommodate cruises holidays maker. If a big cruise dock in Patmos the cave and the monastery in the Chora might have an extraordinary opening for them and other visitors can take advantage of it. Celestyal Cruises, Ponant, Azamara offers a stop in Patmos in some of their trip in the Greek islands.
Today pilgrims from around the world come to the holy island of Patmos with all the advantages of the modern traveler.
Patmos island has 3 major settlements Skala the main town, Chora where the monastery built by St. Christodulos is built and Kampos.
In Skala is where the only port of the island is located. Supermarkets, banks, restaurants and many shops can be found.
Chora is a typical Greek village built in a time when pirates use to make incursion in the islands and as such is built as a labyrinth to protect the local people and confuse the pirates. The monastery has been built as a fortress to prevent any attack and offer a refuge to the locals in case of attack.
Kampos is a recently new village built in this century. There is the main church and some tavernas where local food is served.
To get to Patmos
Patmos has no airport. The nearest international airport is Kos or Samos. Kos is better because is on the Blue Star ferries line that operate year around. However the airport is 35 km away from Kos town and taxi might be the only option to get from the airport to the port. Other alternatives airports are Rhodes with a 7 hours ferry time to get to Patmos. Syros island airport plus almost 4 hours with a ferry to Patmos. The line Patmos Samos is operated by Ane Kalymnou 5 times a week in summer, in winter 3 times a week, there is a suspension period in winter for up to date info please visit the official website with all details.
Anna Express is a small boat connecting the island of Kalymnos with the northern islands of Dodecanese.
Dodekanisos seaways operate the catamaran connections with Patmos. In summer up to double daily departure to Leros, Kalymnos and Kos. Connecting Patmos with a different schedule depending on days the following islands: Symi, Rhodes, Ikaria, Samos, Lipsi.
Blue Star Ferries operate year around the line Athens Piraeus Port to Patmos and onward to Rhodes up to 4 times a week. Athens Patmos Leros Kos Rhodes and back, some services also stop in Syros, Lipsi and Symi. The schedule can change on days. In summer more services are added up to 7 departures a week.
Please note in case of bad weather ferries services are cancelled on short notice.
Athens international Airport is served by all major airlines including Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Fly Scoot, Air China, British Airways, Air France, SWISS.
During summer season is possible to fly international from the islands with major airlines nonstop including low cost carriers such as easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, WizzAir.
Where to stay in Patmos
In Skala and in Grikos bay you can find many hotels for every pocket. The Blue Bay Hotel and Byzance Hotel are located within walking distance from the port which is good when you arrive from Athens with the ferry at 3.15 am. Outside Skala but not too far just around the bay on the way to Koumana monastery Villa Patmos Netia are luxury villas.
Where to eat
Restaurants and tavernas offers local and Greek food, but also fusion. There is a vast choice in quality and prices. Xiliomodi and Ostria in Skala offer a good range of option with good prices. Votris is an upscale restaurant in the new marina.
Public Transport
There is a bus connecting Skala with Chora. It has a stop next to the Cave of the Apocalypse. Check the schedule at the main stop in Skala. It changes depending on the season. It also connect to Kampos and in summer to the village of Grikos. In both cases some beaches of Patmos are within walking distances.
Rent a car
In Patmos is good to rent a car or a scooter or a quad to visit the far away churches and hermitages like Panagia Geranou and Profitis Elias. To relax in the beautiful beaches of the island after a day full of visiting and prayers.
Religious Feast in Patmos
Easter is the most important celebration in the Orthodox Church. People from all over the world come to Patmos in Holy Week and Easter weekend to celebrate in the various churches around the island. Ferries and hotels are full like in August. Advance booking suggested.
St John Evangelist 26th September and May 8th
St. Christodulos founder of the monastery October 21st March 16th
St. Makarios Kalogeras founder of the Patmiada Theological School January 19th
St. Pantaleimon July 27th in Xiliomodi island
Panagia Dormition of the Mother of God August 15th at Panagia Geranou
Agia Tekla September 24th in Agia Tekla islet next to Agriolivadi beach
Panagia Tou Xarou August 23rd in Lipsi island
Prophitis Ilias July 20th.
Saint John Evangelist and the Apocalypse cave in Patmos, Greece
GPS: 37.314587, 26.544433
Tiziano De-Gasperi is a staff writer for PilgrimAgenda.com, where he covers pilgrims destinations, celebrations, devotions, travel and culture.