Church Tourism

During the early Christian era (5th – 7th century), Leros flourished. This is attested by the organisation of settlements, mainly in the coastal areas, but also on the fertile land of the mainland. Settlements are located in Aghia Marina, Partheni, Alinda, Lakki, Xirokabos, Fakoudia and Drymonas. To this day, eleven early-Christian basilicas have been registered. They are the churches of Aghios Ioannis, in Lakki, Palaiokastro, in the acropolis of Xirokabos, Aghii Tesarakonta, the church of the municipal hostel of Alinda, Aghia Varvara, Aghia Marina, Aghios Nikolaos, in Xirokabos, Aghios Petros, in Drymonas, Aghios Ioannis, in Fakoudia, Panaghia Limniotisa, in Lakki, the churches of Panaghia, in Alinda and Partheni. Out of these churches, only one has been excavated.

The Diocese of Leros, subordinate to the Metropolis of Rhodes, was founded before 553, which is when we have the first historical testimony, the participation of the Bishop of Leros, Ioannis, in the 5^th Ecumenical Council. Bishop of Leros, Sergios, was present in the 7^th Ecumenical Council, in Nicaea, Vythinia, in Asia Minor. Moreover, Bishop of Leros, Iosif, participated in the Great Synod, held in Hagia Sophia between 879-880, organised by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Fotios I.

The churches of Aghios Zacharias, in Merikia, Aghii Apostoli, in Kamara and Aghios Petros, in Drymonas, are also interesting. These churches have low, blind domes, and architectural element quite popular in the neighbouring islands of Patmos, Leipsi, Kalymnos and Astypalaia, as well. In addition to Aghios Ioannis Theologos, Panaghia Gourlomata and Aghios Georgios, in Drymonas, Aghii Apostoli, in Kamara, Aghia Triada, at the Castle, Aghios Spyridon, in Merikia, and Aghios Georgios, in Partheni, have decorative paintings dating back to the 13th and up to the 18th century.

In 1314, the Knights of the Order of St John conquered the island. Leros, along with Kalymnos and Nisyros, became part of the administrative unit of Kos, under the command of a Knight. The best known commander, whose name was connected, from time to time, with Leros, was Venetian Fantino Quirini (1431-1453). In the late 14^th century, Nicolas de Martoni mentioned that the island was inhabited and was part of the administrative territory of Kos. In the early 15^th century, Priest from Florence Cristoforo Buondelmonti gave more details on the fortified castle (Panteli Castle) and the fertility of the land. From the 15^th century on, Leros would be mentioned in “isolaria”, that is to say, in navigational guides.

From the mid 15^th to the early 16^th century, Leros would be attacked by Turkish pirates. The knights repaired the walls and erected the outer precinct of the Castle of Panteli, in order to modernise the defence of the island, considering the establishment of the use of firearms. Five churches, in total, exist inside the castle. The church of Aghia Triada, the murals of which were painted in the 15^th century, possibly dates back to the mid Byzantine era. The other three churches were built during the occupation of the Knights, while the current church of Panaghia of the Castle was constructed in the 17^th century.

Local Celebrations and feasts in Leros:

• Panaghia of the Castle, 15 and 23 August.
• Osios Ionas of Leros, 28 February.
• Integration of the Dodecanese, 7 March.
• Aghii Tesarakonta (Holy Forty Martyrs), 9 March.
• Annunciation – National Holiday, 25 March.
• April-May, Holy Week and Easter.
• Aghios Isidoros, 14 May.
• Aghios Paisios Panagis Basias, 7 June.
• Aghios Petros, 29 June.
• Aghii Anargyri of Temenia, 1 July
• Aghia Kyriaki, 7 July.
• Aghios Kirykos, 15 July.
• Aghia Marina, 17 July.
• Aghia Paraskevi, 26 July.
• Aghios Panteleimon, 27 July.
• Osia Eirini Chrysovalantou, 28 July.
• Sotiros Christou (Christ the Saviour), 6 August.
• Aghios Fanourios, 27 August.
• Aghios Ioannis of Lakki (tank), 29 August.
• Panaghia Moni, 8 September.
• Holy Cross, 14 September.
• Repose of Saint John Theologian, 26 September.
• Aghia Matrona (Aghia Kioura), 22 October.
• Aghios Nikolaos, 6 December.
• Aghia Anastasia Farmakolytria, 22 December.

Religious historical monuments of Leros (Churches, museums, libraries, conference centres, halls, etc.)

• Church of Panaghia of the Castle, 8th century.
• Church of Aghia Triada (Trinity), 8th century, in the Castle of Panteli. It contains fragments of 9^th-century murals.
• Church of the Unknown Christian martyr, 9^th century, in the Castle of Panteli. It contains marble coats of arms of the Masters of the Order of Saint John, and marble parts of early Christian churches.
• Church of Aghia Foteini and Aghios Chrysostomos, in the Castle of Panteli.
• Church of Aghios Ioannis Theologos (St John the Theologian), 10^th century, dependency of the Monastery of Patmos.
• Panaghia Gourlomata, 14^th century, Drymonas.
• Aghii Apostoli, 14^th century, Kamara.
• Aghios Petros, 14^th century.
• Aghios Spyridon, Schoinontas, 14^th century.
• Profitis Zacharias, 14^th century, Merikia.
• Aghios Georgios, 14^th century, Partheni.