Patmos: The Cave of the Apocalypse

The Cave of the Apocalypse is located between the villages of Skala and Chora, in a pine forest a short distance from the port of the island of Patmos. It owes its name to the fact that it was here that the Apostle John heard the voice of God from a triple cleft in the rock, symbolizing the Holy Trinity, and had visions that led him to write the last book of the Bible, the Apocalypse. This mystical place, the centre of Christianity together with the monastery of St. John, brought to the island of Patmos the title of "Jerusalem of the Mediterranean". Thus the Apostle's simple words reveal his presence on the island, "I John, your brother and companion in affliction, in the kingdom and constancy of Christ Jesus, was on the island called Patmos, because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Revelation 1:9) The Cave was the disciple John's first shelter when in 95 A.D. the Roman Emperor Domitian exiled him to Patmos because of his Christian preaching. The Evangelist remained on the island until 97 A.D. and during his stay in the cave, three fissures formed in the rock from which the voice of God escaped. It is plausible that the fourth Gospel of John was written in this same cave. Later on St. Christodulos, abbot of Bithynia, transformed the island of Patmos into a place of worship, in fact in the eleventh century he founded, thanks to the concession of Emperor Alexis Komninos I, the great Monastery dedicated to St. John. The Greek Parliament in 1983 declared Patmos a sacred island and in 1999, UNESCO declared the Monastery, the Cave of the Apocalypse and the village of Chora a World Heritage Site. It is preceded by a small, white monastery called the Monastery of the Apocalypse, built in the 17th century. From here a staircase flanking the monks' cells leads down into the Cave, preceded by a chapel that serves as an entrance where you can smell a strong odour of incense. The interior of the cave is small, lit with simple candles and decorated with paintings and ancient icons. In the semi-darkness of this cave is undeniable the suggestion and the strong sacredness that is perceived. A place steeped in history and sacredness, which creates reverential fear in the most devout visitors. The Cave of the Apocalypse is a point of reference not only for Patmos, but for Christianity all over the world.