Church of Saint Nicholas

The Church of Saint Nicholas is at the “Limnionas” location, north of Thymaina toward the Ikaria side, and is an important religious site for the island’s residents. It was built in 1958 on the initiative of Emm. Mavrikis and An. Sinia, thanks to contributions from local faithful and some Ikarians. During the excavation of the foundations, human bones, bricks, and tiles were found, indicating an earlier church, as confirmed by a Patmos manuscript of 1863. The church’s iconostasis is built of masonry with curves; in the middle a Cross dominates and below an eye, while the icons of the Dodekaorton are missing and in their place are five small icons of saints. The large portable icons of the iconostasis are set in niches and date to the 1960s. Striking is the icon of the Forerunner, with an expressive robe and face. In the nave and sanctuary there are few icons, some decorated with shells. The chapel celebrates on 6 December, giving visitors the chance to enjoy traditional meze and dishes under the trees’ shade and to join dances around the concrete tables.