The monastery is built on four levels. Its initial shape of a boat prow towards the Icarian sea has been altered because of the different needs, which occurred for additional space and modifications.
The cells of the monks were built around the main church (catholicon) according to the Byzantine plans. As for the rest of the construction it is built on different levels and presents a lot of elements of the traditional architecture of the islands. The final shape it is now presenting is the result as much of this necessity to add or modify the space through the years as of the particularity of the rocky ground on which it is erected.
The monastery has ten chapels, the four of which are in the main courtyard. In the main church, one can see the iconostases ( reredos), unique piece of art from 1820, carved with 12 small sculptures. The icons and the frescoes of the church are of uncommon beauty and value.

Holy Christodoulos of Latros to whom The Byzantine emperor Alexis Comnenos the First gave the entire island by a Deed of Grant bearing the golden Seal started the construction of the monastery of Saint John The Theologian in 1088. He was called " Latrinos" because before coming to Patmos, he had founded a monastery on the Mount Latros, near Millet. But because of the Turkish advance, he asked from the emperor to be given the small deserted and arid island of Patmos. With him came and settled a few monks and laymen, originated mostly from Crete and Asia Minor. The latest, according to a clause contained in Alexis Comnenos's Grant, were obliged to come without wives and children! As soon as the construction of monastery was achieved, the necessity of cultivating the island became evident! But as the Holy man could see that it was impossible to insure permanent inhabitants without allowing the settlement of families, he decided to allow it. He however imposed on all the laymen to live far from the monastery, on the northern part of the island, where the monks were not allowed to go. The limits of the laymen's settlement started from Saint Nicholas Eudilos and reached the area of Vaghia. The workers were working and living for five days in the monastery and were going to visit their families for the rest of the week. This agreement, though, appeared to be not that convenient and during the 12th century the abbot imposed to the peasants and soldiers to live inside the monastery during summer in order to protect it from the raids of the pirates, which started at that time of the year. And thus, during the 13th century, the laymen were allowed to settle in the area around the monastery, seeking protection within its enclosure and defending it in case of danger! The monastery is reattached to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and it is a patriarchal exarchate with as exarch (nuncio) the abbot who enjoys special privileges. With its huge 15 meters high impressive walls, it dominates the whole island. Above the two doors of its main entrance is the so-called " Killer", a sort of balcony from which burning oil was poured to prevent the assailants from forcing the entrance.

"Friday, September the 16th of 1955. The day before and a little after midnight," I came in the island called Patmos". As the day was breaking, I was up in Chora. The sea, still as metal, tied the islands around. No breath, not even one leaf in the growing light. The serenity was a totally unfissured shell. I stayed as nailed by this enforcement. Afterwards I felt myself whispering "come and see".
George Seferis "the Revelation of John"

"The little thought as the hail of a bird, from the heights is aiming at the flesh, at the dry tree, the hard stone thrown from the invincible dream. And towards Patmos is turned the heart And withering the bitter blossom."
Dimitri Papaditsas. "in Patmos"

"It's before you known it that death alters. From being alive with its fingerprints on us Half wild, hair in disorder, we bend Gesturing on unintelligible harps. But the world is leaving... Go, go twice beauty does not happen nor love.
Odysseus Elytis "from Maria Nefeli"

"Patmos is a very innocent island. In 1963 there was only one rich country house and this discreetly hidden somewhere. Early morning old women were taking incense to the churches when no liturgy was celebrated. The afternoon a fisherman would fall asleep on his nets in some shade by the side of his three year old son. Basil was growing everywhere in pots. The countryside was full of small lizards. A small child, met just fortuitously on the square, told that the face of John had been seen to appear on the corroded hole where he used to sleep..."
Peter Levi "The Hill of Cronos"

PATMOS When I saw Patmos! What a surprise! What a great beauty! O! Fortunate I Who came to this life!
Athanasia Tremouli

NEEDLEWORK SPITHA. At the monastery of The Annunciation or at shops with hand made needlework with the traditional motifs.

George Kavouras, our local painter with the historical Patmian expression. Boats that have crossed the seas, captains who brought wealth to Patmos and the poetry of the religious elements are strongly printed in each of his work. Ask for his exhibition because it is something that you must see before leaving from Patmos.

For the past ten years, Caroline has been living and creating in Patmos and her work is reflecting her immediate environment and the traditional images of Greece. Terra cotta is her main material, the red of the earth and the white of the light giving birth to the Aegean Earth and creates useful pieces which carry images of the Mediterranean warmth. Byzantium, olive trees, the water, the earth, fish are the images which give their name to the series of tableware created with the respect that characterize the artistic nature of Caroline.

Unique handmade pieces from the Patmian artist George Gambieraki. Hand made pottery, useful and decorative, created with the traditional technique of Raku. Very special pieces from glass, with the technique of fusing. Silver and glass jewels. Aromatic candles and sand candles. For yourself or your friends.