Empires come and go but the olive continues. As a symbol of Peace, the olive branch is now universal.Native to Asia Minor, the olive spread from ancient Iran, Syria and Palestine throughout the Mediterrannean, thousands of years ago.
There are records indicating that the olive tree has been cultivated in ancient Syria, for more than 6,000 years. In Palestine there are olive trees which are over 2,000 years old.
In ancient Greek mythology, Athena gave the olive tree to Greece and planted the Greeks’ first olive tree on the hilll of the Acropolis. Many believe that the olive tree that stands there today grows from the roots of Athena’s gift.
Christians remember the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane (Gethsemane means “olive press”) where Christ prayed before his capture.
In ancient Greek mythology, Athena gave the olive tree to Greece and planted the Greeks’ first olive tree on the hilll of the Acropolis. Many believe that the olive tree that stands there today grows from the roots of Athena’s gift.
Christians remember the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane (Gethsemane means “olive press”) where Christ prayed before his capture.
The olive provides food, medecine, perfume, heat and light.
Soon, we approach the olive harvest in a land where the olive branch must be allowed to blossom into Peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Perhaps the olive harvest will become an Harvest of Peace.
Photo of an ancient olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, courtesy of the Bethel College (MN) HolyLandPhotos.org
http://www.HolyLandPhotos.org
Soon, we approach the olive harvest in a land where the olive branch must be allowed to blossom into Peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Perhaps the olive harvest will become an Harvest of Peace.
Photo of an ancient olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, courtesy of the Bethel College (MN) HolyLandPhotos.org
http://www.HolyLandPhotos.org