Turkey/Greece Trip -May 24, 2025 - Patmos
“I John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”. Revelation 1:9
We made it to Patmos! It was in doubt for a bit due to something about a malfunctioning boat motor... but it worked out in the end. We took a ferry from Kusadasi (Ephesus) to the island of Samos and from there took a fast hydrofoil to Patmos. Less than 3 hours each way and very fun to see a few more of the little Greek island near the Western Turkish coastline. No one got sea sick!
Patmos doesn’t have large cruise ships coming to their harbor any longer, and so it is less busy / less noisy / less chaos than many of the islands. Most people visiting are there for a pilgrimage to the 11th century monastery and the “cave of the apocalypse” where St John is said to have received the vision of the Revelation.
We toured the monastery and the museum and sat in the cave church for a time. One of the 12 monks that still live in the monastery let Craig get his photo and some photos in the cave church which is usually forbidden. Our guide told us that there are over 300 churches and chapels on the island and that a service must be performed in each at least once a year - quite a task for 12 monks! A beautiful, peaceful place.
One the way back to our hotel in Kusadasi, we had an hour to spend on Samos. Acts 20:15 tells us that Paul’s boat “touched” at Samos. Of course we don’t know if Paul even left the ship, but still fun to see another placed spoken of in the Bible. We had one hour at the harbor. There are Roman ruins on the island, a 6th century engineering marvel called the Eupalinous Tunnel, and other ancient ruins. Pythagorus was born here and there is a monument to him at harbor.
Tomorrow we pack up after 3 nights in one place and hit the road again! Have a wonderful day and God Bless! PB, Margery and Jacob
Island of Patmos
