St. John Monastery in Patmos, Greece
Patmos Churches & Monasteries - The St. John Monastery in Patmos, Greece is a must-visit attraction in Chora. Originally built as a castle in 1088 by Saint Christodoulos to protect the island from pirates, the monastery now houses monks and is under the ownership of the Patriarchate of Constantinople which has vast land holdings in Greece and beyond. The nearby settlement of Allotina was founded by Byzantine families who relocated to Patmos after the siege of Constantinople in 1453. The monastery's museum is famous for its library which boasts over 1000 manuscripts and papyri, many of which are only found at the Monastery of Sina, as well as a collection of 3000 books. Visitors can also marvel at valuable objects, exquisite icons, and ecclesiastical utensils, as well as sacred relics, vestments embroidered with gold or silver threads and adorned with precious stones, and a variety of other garments that make up the monastery's treasury. If you plan your visit for May 8th, you can experience the feast of Agios Ioannis Theologos which includes a special ceremony in the church.
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