Geographical & Historical Outline of Patmos
Patmos is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Aegean.
It is situated in the southeast Aegean, at the northwest edge of the Dodecanese complex and specifically between the islands of Leros and Ikaria.
It has an area of 34 square kilometers, 63 kilometers length of coastline and its terrain is rocky.
The island is intensely partitioned with a lot of tall mountains, the highest peak being that of Profitis Elias that reaches 270 m.
Geographical & Historical Outline of Patmos
HISTORY
Patmos was inhabited since very ancient times by Karians and Leleges and later by Pelasgians, Argives, Mycenaeans and Dorians.
According to legend it was here that Orestes took refuge when he was pursued by the Furies, after murdering his mother.
From AD 95 to 97 Christ’s disciple John live in exile on the island and it was here that he wrote the book of the Apocalypse, in the cave now named after it.
In 1088, the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komninos presented Patmos to the monk Christodoulos, who, with the aid of several monks and laymen founded the monastery of the Theologian, in honor of St. John.
The Patmias Theological College was founded in 1713.
During the period of Turkish domination, the island enjoyed relative autonomy, under the protection of the Pope.
Several Greeks who were persecuted by the Turks sought refuge here and Patmos prospered greatly as a result.
