| Ancient Greece | | | | wreaths bear a significance. The message is a |
| - The Goddess of Wisdom and Strategist of | | | | representation of peace. |
| Warfare: Athena was profoundly linked to the | | | | The citizens of Attica loved her, they changed the |
| Olive Tree | | | | name of their city from Attica to Athens. |
| | | | Aristeos, kick-started agriculture, in a manner that |
| - The God of Farming: Aristeos | | | | would benefit olive produce to a maximum |
| There was a Competition of Divinities... | | | | degree. Healthy olive groves of Ancient |
| The Ancient Hellenic Leading God: Zeus held a | | | | Civilizations: equated with affluent societies. |
| competition for the deities that wished to become | | | | Hercules |
| the heavenly patron of Attica. The best prize - | | | | The God of Victory and Commerce: Hercules (his |
| for the inhabitants of Attica - would determine | | | | Roman name) also planted an Olive tree on Mount |
| the winner. | | | | Olympia. King Iphitos opted that winners from the |
| Poseidon struck the soil with his three-pronged | | | | Olympic Games were to be crowned with a |
| spear (a Trident). Water gushed from the earth. | | | | wreath made from the branches of the tree that |
| Soon there was a veritable stream. Someone | | | | Hercules planted. The significance of these |
| tasted the water: it was salty and deemed not | | | | wreaths symbolized: worthy champions. Olympic |
| useful to the citizens of Attica. | | | | winners thereafter were credited to having Divine |
| Athena thrust her spear into a hilly area, (that | | | | Powers. |
| area, later became the Acropolis). A silvery-green | | | | The Temple of Hercules (or Vesta) Olivarius was |
| sapling appeared and grew steadily upwards | | | | named after Hercules by the oil merchants of |
| seeking warm sunshine. Within minutes it flowered, | | | | Ancient Rome. |
| producing, millions of tiny green fruits. | | | | Chrism in Ancient and Modern Times |
| The tree became known as an olive tree. Man | | | | Chrism is a blend of olive oil and balsam. Chrism is |
| discovered the tree to be very useful. Its fruits | | | | used to sanctify during blessings and Christenings. |
| were harvested. Early picking, produced a fruit | | | | Royalty and Dignitaries were anointed with Chrism. |
| which, once pickled, were edible and tasty. At a | | | | Saints' were hallowed by receiving drops of |
| later picking, the same fruits, when pressed | | | | Chrism which percolated into their graves. Olympic |
| produced a delicious, healthy, oil. The tree needed | | | | champions received a daub of chrism, glorifying |
| pruning - its strong trunk, served as fuel or was | | | | their victories. |
| used in construction. | | | | For thousands of years this tree has influenced |
| A Divine gift | | | | mankind. Without it history would have been very |
| Athena symbolized peace and wisdom. The olive | | | | different. It is a tree to venerate. Now and for |
| tree transcended to this day - as a tree revered | | | | The Future. |
| for its excellence. The use of olive branches or | | | | |