A tradition found mainly in Latin Christian sources tells that St John was first taken to Rome as a prisoner by order of the emperor. According to this tradition, he was brought to the Latin Gate (Porta Latina) and punished in a dramatic way. He was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil, a punishment meant to cause a slow and painful death. However, the story says that John emerged unharmed, as if protected by divine power.
This miracle became the origin of the Christian feast known as St John at the Latin Gate, celebrated on May 6. Some versions of the apocryphal Acts of John give a different setting and claim that this event took place not in Rome but in Ephesus. Because these accounts appear only in later sources, historians cannot verify their accuracy. Nevertheless, the story reflects the belief of early Christians that St John enjoyed special divine protection The End of Exile and the Journey Home.
Exile to the Island of Patmos
After this episode, St John was banished to the island of Patmos, one of the volcanic islands in the Aegean Sea, about eighty kilometres south of Ephesus. In Roman times, Patmos was used as a penal colony, a place of exile for criminals and political prisoners.
A later Byzantine chronicle describes Patmos as a desolate and harsh place, saying that it was deserted, uncultivated, and covered with thorns and shrubs. The land was described as dry and barren, making life difficult for those sent there. This description helps explain why exile to Patmos was considered a severe punishment, even though it did not involve execution.
Companions and Life in Exile
According to tradition, St John was not alone during his exile. He was accompanied by his young disciple Prochorus, who is identified as one of the seven deacons of the Jerusalem church mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:5). On their journey to Patmos, another miracle is said to have taken place: John rescued a boy who fell from the ship into the sea, saving him from drowning.
The length of St John’s exile is uncertain. Different traditions claim it lasted one and a half years, five years, or even fifteen years. What all accounts agree on is that during his time on Patmos, John continued preaching the Gospel and converting the island’s inhabitants Walking Tours Istanbul.
The Magician Kynops
One of the most vivid legends connected with St John’s stay on Patmos involves a magician named Kynops. According to tradition, Kynops was associated with the Temple of Apollo and was famous for his magical performances. His most popular act was to jump into the sea and reappear after a while, unharmed, impressing the local people.
When the priests of Apollo heard that John was converting people to Christianity, they asked Kynops to challenge him publicly. In front of witnesses, the magician jumped into the sea as usual. St John then stretched out his arms in the form of a cross and prayed to Jesus Christ, asking that Kynops be defeated and never return.
According to the story, the magician drowned, and after a short time his lifeless body appeared on the surface, hardened like a rock. Local fishermen later claimed that the bad taste of shellfish caught near this rock was caused by the presence of the magician’s remains.
Meaning of the Legends
While these stories cannot be confirmed historically, they played an important role in shaping Christian devotion to St John. They present him as a fearless preacher, a miracle worker, and a figure whose faith triumphed over pagan power. Patmos, because of these traditions, became one of the most important sacred places in early Christianity.
