The reason you saw that flag flying over the monastery is because it is a “monastic republic” under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch. It is called officially the “Holy Royal Patriarchal Stavropegic and Coenobiac Monastery of St John the Evangelist and Theologian”.
The island and its dependencies are a Patriarchial Eparchy headed by the abbot of the monastery.
Did you pick up any pumice on the beaches at Santorini and did you notice how the grape vines grow out there?
Thanks for giving me a better explanation than our guide (who was pretty good). Picked up a nice black volcanic rock on Santorini but also saw the pumic. The circular grape vines were interesting. We also did some wine tasting and everything we tasted was excellent. Have a few more thoughts for you but I have to get ready for Mass. Thanks for the kind reply and I’ll get back to you.