The most important cultural and religious center of the island of Patmos is a Greek Orthodox monastery of St. John the Divine. The grand building stands on a picturesque hill in the capital of the island - Chora.

The monastery was founded in 1088 by Reverend Christodoulos with the permission of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus. Externally, the monastery has a view of the majestic fortifications with massive battlements, towers and bastions. Such protection measures were adopted not by chance, since in this historical period there was the constant threat of pirate raids and most likely to attack the Turkish conquerors. The monastery was built on the ruins of an ancient temple of Artemis, and fragments of the ancient sanctuary used in the construction of the monastery walls and some of the internal structures. Reverend Christodoulos became the first abbot of the monastery.

Most of the monastery complex has been completed in three years, although the overall construction lasted almost 20 years, and some facilities have been built at all after a few centuries. Today the monastery is the main KATHOLIKON (with a magnificent iconostasis and wonderful frescoes), ten hours, and many administrative buildings. In one of the chapels of the relics of the Monk Christodoulos.

Of particular interest is the magnificent monastery library (one of the largest libraries of the Christian world), which holds rare books, including incunabula, unique manuscripts, valuable historical documents, etc. The main library is considered to be the relic of the Golden Bull or Hrisovul Alexis I Comnenus, from which started the history of the monastery. No less interesting and Ecclesiastical Museum (Treasure). His exhibition features unique icons, church utensils, gorgeous robes, embroidered with gold and silver thread and decorated with precious stones, and other sacred relics.

Monastery of St. John the Evangelist is very revered in the religious world, both Orthodox and Catholics. This magnificent historical monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every year it is visited by large numbers of people from all over the world.