Patmos
Patmos
Πάτμος | |
---|---|
UTC+3 (EEST) | |
Postal code | 855 xx |
Area code(s) | 22470 |
Vehicle registration | KX, PO, PK |
Website | www |
Patmos (Greek: Πάτμος, pronounced [ˈpatmos]) is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is famous as the location where John of Patmos received the visions found in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, and where the book was written.
One of the northernmost islands of the
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.[6] The monastery was founded by Christodoulos Latrinos.[7] Patmos is also home to the Patmian School, a notable Greek seminary.
History
The birth of Patmos according to Greek mythology
According to a legend in Greek mythology, the island's original name was "Letois", after the goddess and huntress of deer, Artemis, daughter of Leto. It was believed that Patmos came into existence thanks to her divine intervention.
Artemis frequently paid visits to
Selene was always trying to get Artemis to bring the sunken island to the surface and hence to life. Selene finally convinced Artemis, who, in turn, gained her brother Apollo's help to persuade Zeus to allow the island to arise from the sea.[citation needed]
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.[8]
History from the Classical period to the present
Patmos is seldom mentioned by ancient writers. Therefore, very little is known about the earliest inhabitants. In the Classical period, the Patmians prefer to identify themselves as Dorians descending from the families of Argos, Sparta and Epidaurus, further mingling with people of Ionian ancestry.[citation needed]
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.[9]
Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Christian 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.[10] 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 monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John.
After the death of
Early Christian life on Patmos, however, barely survived Muslim raids from the 7th to the 9th century.[
Population was expanded by infusions of Byzantine immigrants fleeing the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, and Cretan immigrants fleeing the fall of Candia in 1669.[citation needed]
The island was controlled by the
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.[12]
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.[11]
21st century
In September 2008, the municipality of Patmos refused landing to a group of undocumented refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq. On the weekend of September 19, 2008, about 134 refugees were rescued at sea. The refugees were taken to Patmos, the nearest municipality, for processing and care. The administration refused them permission to land. Eventually they were sent to the island of Leros where they were processed and given humanitarian aid.[13][14]
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".[15]
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.
It has an area of 34.05 km2 (13.15 sq mi). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 metres (883 feet)
Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city) and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos.
Economy
Tourism
Patmos's economy is largely reliant on tourism during the summer months with Christian
The Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse are among the sites most often visited by pilgrims.[17] 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.[18]
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.[19]
Health
For emergencies, Patmos has a medical centre, with several medical doctors on the premises. When residents require hospitalization beyond first aid, they are airlifted out of the island by helicopter (in emergencies) to nearby hospitals or, if the weather permits, they are transported by ferry.[20]
Infrastructure
Ferry
The Island of Patmos has regular ferry services, which connect it to the following ports:
Notable people
- John of Patmos, author of the Book of Revelation
- Patriarch Jeremias III of Constantinople
- Patriarch Neophytus VI of Constantinople
- Patriarch Jacob of Alexandria[citation needed]
- Emmanuil Xanthos, founder of Filiki Eteria
- Teddy Millington-Drake, English artist[21]
- Robert Lax, American poet
- Emmanuel Carrère, French novelist[22]
- Laurence de Cambronne, French journalist[23]
- Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos, A 20th-century saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Patmos is
See also
- Icaria – island to the northwest
- Patmos, Arkansas
References
- ^ "Municipality of Patmos: Municipal elections – October 2023". www.ekloges.ypes.gr. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Pátmos: Greece". Geographical Names. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ^ "Patmos Island Greece | Greece Travel". greecetravelog.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05.
- ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
- ^ "The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. .
- ^ Patmos – official website Archived 15 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine Legendary folk tales and mythology. Retrieved on 4 September 2008.
- ^ a b Patmos – official website Archived 15 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-09-04.
- ^ Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 81.4
- ^ a b Patmos.gr – Patmos history. Retrieved on 7 February 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-19-513917-4.
- ^ Nylou Editorial
- ^ Interpress Agency: Refugees Kept At Sea Archived 15 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Forbes, webpage:[1].
- ^ "Revelations at Patmos: Visiting the site where the Apocalypse of John was penned". 12 February 2022.
- ^ "What to do in Patmos, Greece's mysterious holy island".
- ^ Nikos, K. (2023, March 29). Patmos: €20m hotel investment to boost island's tourism appeal. GTP Headlines. https://news.gtp.gr/2023/03/29/patmos-e20m-hotel-investment-to-boost-islands-tourism-appeal/
- ^ 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
- ^ Greece links islands with 24hr health units as it opens to tourists. (2020, June 12). GTP Headlines. https://news.gtp.gr/2020/06/12/greece-links-islands-with-24hr-health-units-as-opens-to-tourists/
- ^ Hope, Jonathan (12 September 1994). "Obituary: Teddy Millington-Drake". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-25. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
- ^ "Emmanuel Carrère : Avec "Yoga", inspirer pour ne pas expirer". 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Une année à Leros : Le journal de bord sur Facebook". Le Monde.fr. 10 June 2016.
- ^ "Twinnings" (PDF). Central Union of Municipalities & Communities of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-15. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
Further reading
- Tom Stone: The Summer of My Greek Taverna: A Memoir, Simon & Schuster, New York NY 2003, ISBN 0-7432-4771-X(Stone brings readers into the tiny Greek island world of Patmos.)
External links
- Official website (in English and Greek)
- https://www.patmosweb.gr/
- Patmos Travel Guide(English)
- Irene Neuwirth's eight great days in Greece(English)