By Nicolas Bard

Saint Efstratios, also known as Ai Stratis, is a small island in the northeast Aegean with just 257 permanent residents, which is administratively owned by the regional unit of Lemnos. Ai Stratis is the most secluded island of the archipelago, as it is 18 nautical miles from Lemnos, 38 from Skyros, 42 from Lesvos, and 48 from Halkidiki. From above, the island seems to have an unequal triangle shape, with an area of ​​49.6 square kilometers and a length of 51.6 kilometers.

The island in antiquity was called Alonissos, by the words Iles and island (sea and island). Pausanias records it under the name of Nea, because it was considered to emerge from the sea at the time the Homeric island of Chrysi was plunged, which was probably near Cape Modez, in the northeast part of Lemnos.

The name Agios Efstratios is associated with Saint Efstratios the miracle worker, who came from Vitziani of Bithynia (ancient Tarsus). He was the abbot of the Holy Monastery of the Eggs or Agavra, the largest monastery of Olympus Bithynia, but at the time of the Second Nationality, because it was opposed to the iconoclastic policy of the Byzantine Emperor Leo E.

Traveling by boat in an unknown direction, he asked to land on this island due to unbearable nausea caused by the sea. So he lived there for several years in a cave preserved to this day, in the Alonitsi area, though he suffered major damage to the devastating earthquake of 1968. The island was honored with the name of the Saint, and the locals honor him as patron and patron saint, as well as the five witnesses.

It is worth noting at this point that many sections of land in Ai Stratis belong to Mount Athos monasteries and mainly to the Monastery of Megisti Lavra, where the Holy Kara of St. Efstratius of the Great Martyr (13/12) is kept. The island refers to the islands of the Christopher Budelmond in 1420 as Sanstrati and the Atlas of Laurenberg in 1656 was recorded as Chryse S.Sstratj (Golden – Saint Efstratios).

The only settlement of the island was originally at the top of the small hill, where the inhabitants, following the traditional Aegean architecture, had built their houses along with the windmills necessary for the time. However, the devastating earthquakes of 1968 became the reason for the historic settlement to be destroyed and then built young in the Valley area. Residents of the island are mainly involved in fishing and livestock farming and often face problems in transport with other islands and mainland Greece, especially in winter.

The island is geographically located between Lesvos and Skyros, and has an area of ​​43 square kilometers. Its territory is characterized as mountainous and volcanic composition. Only 1/3 is covered by crops, and residues of the settlement of the Mycenaean era have been found. Still, the entire island and its coastal maritime zone is a protected habitat on the Natura 2000 network. The island’s vegetation includes frying roasters, barbarian centauries in the coastal areas, remnants of oak forests, white villains and white villages. In addition, the Mediterranean seals use the island’s caves with the deep blue waters as a place of breeding.

Finally, the island is a station for many migratory bird species, as it is on one of the main streets of spring and autumn migration. The significant presence of small birds attracts many blacksmiths. 70% of the world’s world population is reproduced in Greece (4,500 pairs), and is one of the most important species of birds that our country hosts. This species nests in small uninhabited islands, reproduced during the autumn season and feeds on small migratory birds.

This small, raw diamond of the Aegean has many hidden archaeological treasures, picturesque churches, magical caves and impressive beaches, and is a true retreat, away from the bustling and tourist islands of the Aegean. In his heart, Ai Stratis hides a rare version of the authentic Greek province, which tends to disappear over the years, and its few inhabitants are struggling daily to make their place better, and of course not to desert their island.