HISTORY ONLINE

The Apocalypse horoscope shows the night sky as it was visible from the island of Patmos, Greece from the 25th September to the 10th of October 1486.

The "Jerusalem of the Aegean" is one way of describing Patmos or Patnos, as it was referred to in one 5th century inscription. It was here that St. John the Theologian was exiled between 95 and 97 A.D. and was inspired to write the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse.

Later the emperor Alexios Komninos ordered the monk Christodoulos Letrinos to found a monastery in honour of the Apostle. Thus the holy monastery of Patmos was built, the most important landmark on the island.

In September 1995 it was celebrated the anniversary of the 1900 years from the date that the Book of Revelation was written.

Patmos, situated between Leros and Ikaria, is a mountainous island with rocky soil and an abundance of small coves.

The majestic fortress - monastery crowns the hill above the port, surrounded by dazzling white, cubelike houses which spill down its flanks. Interspersed among them are miniscule churches and grand sea captains' mansions, separated from each other by narrow lanes, high walls and small squares opening onto breath - catching views over the Aegean.

The construction of the monastery began in the 11th century. It is circumscribed by massive grey stone walls with battlements that protected the main church and another five chapels. Its extraordinary treasury contains Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, sacred vessels, 9th century embroideries and other priceless objects, while its library houses parchment documents, patriarchal seals, illuminated manuscripts and rare old books. In the chapel dedicated to Our Lady frescoes can be seen which date to 1210 -1220.


Based on mythology the island of Patmos got its name from the word Patnos, which comes from the incident when Poseidon stepped foot on the island. The historian and researcher Vahar, believes that the name Patmos originates from part of a Phoenician or Karik word, which means place with conifer trees. Many believe that the name Patmos or Patnos comes from the mountain of Latmos that is located in Minor Asia where Goddess Artemis was worshipped, while others believe that it is due to the corruption of the word Fatni.

During the mythology the island was named Litois-in honor of Goddess Artemis which they called Litoida, because she was the daughter of Litos. Based on inscriptions of the 5 B.C. that were found at the Temple of Apostle John (Theologos), the island of Patmos sank under the sea. Based on Isiodos, Artemis used to visit the mountain of Latnos that was situated across - at Minor Asia; there she would meet Selini who was in love with someone named Evdimiona- who lived at the temple of the Goddess.

Selini pushed the goddess to raise the island from the bottom of the sea. The goddess with the help of her twin brother Apollo managed to persuade Zeus and brought the island to the surface. Many believers of Artemis as a sign of their belief and devotion went and lived on the island and gave it the name Litois to honor it.

Based on the above inscription, the marricide Orestis, fled to the island, hynted by the Erinies together with the Argians after murdering his mother Klitemnistra. The ancient writers refer to the island of Patmos for the first time around the 5th century specifically we have citations from Thoukididis, Stravonas and Efstathios. Findings of archaic vessels of the Miceanean period, shells, and geometric ornaments testify traces of the Miceanean civilization long before the 13th century B.C.

The identity of the first inhabitants of the island is a mystery despite the studies and researches of many historians and archeologists, the opinions contradict. The majority believe that the island was inhabited since 3.000 B.C. by the Kares, Leleges and the Pelasgous ancient nations of Greek origin that had inhabited all the islands of the Dodecanese and it was only natural to have gone the same to the island of Patmos.

The German archeologist Ludwig Ross (1806-1859) professor at the Athens University in the year 1837, wrote in his "Island Excursions" that the initial inhabitants of the island were the Dorians and later it became a Ionian colony. The island was part of the Ionian island cities of Asia Minor what was named "Panionion" having both a holy and warfare character. Patmos was under the protection of the town situated the nearest to it, which at the time was Militos. It played a major role in its flourishing of the arts and letters but also of commerce. Let us not forget that Militos was one of the largest commercial and export centers, especially for pottery, furniture and textiles.

Findings of ancient ruins, buildings, cemeteries, fortresses at the area of Kambos and Itia testify the presence of a densely populated area in the past. Based on the findings at the hill of Kastelli, there is evidence of an ancient acropole from the 4th century B.C. and that of a city that flourished in the greater area during the period of (6th to 4th century B.C.) During the years of the Peloponesesian war and specifically in 428 B.C. the Lakedemonians fled to the island , hunted by the Athenianst under the command of general Pachi. Ruins in the area of Kastelli and testimonies from the ancient writings of Prohoros , state a substantial flourishing of the island during the 4th century B.C.

After that the 2nd Roman Empire conquered the island, having as a result its decline and its use by the Romans as a place of exile for convicts.
The teachings of Jesus from Nazaret, Judia , is conveyed as a message of love and at the same time hope for the thousands of slaves of the Romans. The message of love was conveyed to the island by one of his disciples, Apostle John, whom the Roman emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus, exiled to the island in 95 A.C. During the time of his exile that lasted 18 months Apostle John , conveyed to the residents of the island the teachings of Jesus Christ and of Christianity. Living in the cave of Agia Anna as a hermit and under the influence of his visions, he wrote the magnificent religious work of the "Apocalypse"

Thanks to Apostle John, the island of Patmos became known to all the Christians, who up to this day call it the Island of the Apocalypse and it is a holly place of worshipping. A year later Domitianus is murdered and his heir Emperor Cocceius Nerva recalled the exiled and in 97 A.C. Apostle John returns to Ephesus.