The Lerians and their lifestyle

What can somebody say about the people of Leros! Hospitable, friendly, good workers and always ready for dance and fun.Keeping the family ties strong as well as their friendships.
As a foreign visitor you soon realize the friendly character of the Leros people, especially when you’re walking on the streets everybody will say a ‘yassou’ (hello) and a ‘kalimera’ (good morning). The main occupations of the island are agriculture, fishing and tourism. However, the major source of employment is found in the three hospitals of the island at Lakki and Lepida.

From ancient times until today, the people of Leros received many influences from the west and the east. Like all Greeks from ancient times, they kept only the positive influences and cultural elements that they assimilated into their own culture and tradition.

The Christian religion developed very early on the island. In the 11th century Saint Christodoulos from Patmos found suitable ground here and inspired the Lerios with deep Christian feelings. At this time the island experienced special prosperity and spiritual flourishing. The inhabitants of Leros are warm, hospitable and open-hearted people and above all they love their island and its traditions.

The people of Leros were mostly seafarers and fishermen, farmers were generally few because Leros is small and has few arable lands and vineyards. On the island there were also good craftsmen and craftsmen who built their boats and decorated their houses.
Many Lerians thrived in Greece and abroad. From long ago, the Lerioi first migrated to Egypt and in later years to America and Australia. With their hard work and knowledge they managed to create great fortunes and many of them donated to the island such as Belenis, the famous heart surgeon Boulafentis and many others