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.<\/p>\n
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 5th<\/sup> Ecumenical Council. Bishop of Leros, Sergios, was present in the 7th<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 14th<\/sup> century, Nicolas de Martoni mentioned that the island was inhabited and was part of the administrative territory of Kos. In the early 15th<\/sup> century, Priest from Florence Cristoforo\u00a0Buondelmonti gave more details on the fortified castle (Panteli Castle) and the fertility of the land. From the 15th<\/sup> century on, Leros would be mentioned in \u201cisolaria\u201d, that is to say, in navigational guides.<\/p>\n From the mid 15th<\/sup> to the early 16th<\/sup> 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 15th<\/sup> 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 17th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nLocal Celebrations and feasts in Leros:<\/h3>\n
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Religious historical monuments of Leros (Churches, museums, libraries, conference centres, halls, etc.)<\/h3>\n
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