The Island of Patmos

Patmos is a small, rocky island in the Aegean Sea which boasts a permanent population of about 3200 people. Our guide for Patmos was Ivani, a lovely Australian-Greek lady with a wonderful sense of humour.

It was here on Patmos that the Apostle, St. John the Theologian (Evangelist) was exiled during the rule of the Roman Emperor Domitian. It was here during his exile that John received and recored the visions found in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament.

Our first stop was the Grotto of the Apocalypse, a cave enshrined in the exact same spot where John heard the voice of God and wrote Revelation. It was here that John slept and prayed for over two years. He dictated his visions to his disciple Prochoros, who later became a bishop. (No photos allowed in the cave.) Inside the cave, we saw the rock fissure believed to have been made by the voice of God. A silver-framed icon of St. John marks the sacred site, and the space truly invites a deeply reflective spirt. St. John is the only Apostle who died a natural death at an age believed to be over 100 years. The cave was officially recognized by UNESCO in 1999 as part of the island's World Heritage Site designation.

We spent some time outside contemplating and reflecting on the writings of St. John. Then we prayed the Divine Chaplet.

After a short bus ride and then a long climb on foot, we reached the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. Built in the 11th century, it looks like a fortress and houses priceless icons, manuscripts and many relics, most notably the skulls of St. Thomas the Doubter and St. Philip.

As we passed a shopkeeper on the walk up, he asked where we were from. We replied, "Canada", and he replied, with a huge grin, "Ducks Unlimited!!"

It was a late return to the ship (we had to take a tender boat to reach Patmos and then to return). Despite being hot, tired, grubby and perhaps a bit rank, seven ladies sat down in the fancy restaurant and had a wild and loud dinner. Some of the waiters might be jockeying to NOT have us in their section on Sunday night. We learned Cathy's tips on how to do laundry on a cruise ship. Most helpful! Included food pics, just for my friend Jane K!

Off to Crete early tomorrow.Læs mere