Several monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John. One of them is the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian (below). In 1088 Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos gave the island of Patmos to the soldier-priest John Christodoulos. The greater part of the monastery he completed in three years. He heavily fortified the exterior, because of the threats of piracy and Turks.
According to a legend from Greek mythology, the island's original name was Letois, after goddess Artemis. Mythology tells that the island of Patmos existed as an island at the bottom of the sea. Artemis frequently visited a shrine on Mount Latmos, which was located on the mainland across the shore from Patmos. There, she met with moon goddess Selene, who cast her light on the ocean, revealing the sunken island of Patmos. Selene tried to bring the sunken island to the surface with the help of Artemis. Artemis persuaded her brother, Apollo, to convince their father, Zeus, to allow the island to arise from the sea. Zeus agreed and the island emerged from the water. The Sun dried up the land and brought the life to it. Gradually, inhabitants from the surrounding areas, including Mount Latmos, settled on the island and named it Letois in honor of Artemis.
View of the bay
Windmills of Patmos
