Greece is full of olive groves. The Olive Tree, "the tree that feeds the children" according to Sophocles, is the protagonist of the Greek nature and history as olive oil is the protagonist of the Greek diet.The indigenous olive tree (wild olive tree) first ap-peared in the eastern Mediterranean but it was in Greece that it was first cultivated. Since then, the presence of the olive tree in the Greek region has been uninterrupted and closely connected with the traditions and the culture of the Greek people.

According to Homer, the olive tree has been thriv-ing in Greece for over 10,000 years. It was con-sidered sacred and according to Solon's law, anyone who uprooted or destroyed an olive tree, was judged in court and if found guilty, was sentenced to death.

For the Ancient Greeks, the olive tree was a symbol of peace, wisdom and triumph. An olive wreath was made, and used to crown the Olympic champi-ons.

It was one of the most used and loved trees due to its sacredness, the economic value and the many uses of its products in every day life.

The olive and its oil also held a special position in the Orthodox religion. It was a symbol of love and peace, an essential part of several solemn rites, from the service of baptism to the oil lamps used in churches and the little shrine that is part of every Greek household.

The olive is the symbol of peace and it was the prize of the Olympic games, in Ancient Greece. It is characteristic that when the first Olympic Games took place in Olympia in 776 BC an olive-tree branch was the award to the winners symbolizing the armistice of any hostility and the peace.

Olive Bread

The myth of Athena, the donor of olive tree

The popular myth reports the competition of Athena & Poseidon for the protection and the name of the Town . The king of the town was Cecrops. The opponents ascended on the rock of Acropolis where the other eleven(11) gods came help with the disagreement. First came Poseidon who stood in the middle of the rock and hit with his trident the ground. Immediately, a wave of salty water sprang which formed a small lake, named “Erechtida” sea. Afterwards, it was Athena's turn to present her gift and she planted an olive tree on the rock, full of fruit. This tree was saved for years later. After the gift of Athena, Zeus commanded the end of the competition and asked the other gods to decide who of the two gods would be the patron god of the town. They also asked the opinion of Cecrop. He stood at the top of the rock but wherever he looked there was salted water. The tree which Athena had given them was the only one which had grown at the town and the country. That was the reason why Cecrop chose Athena's gift and she gave her the command and the name of the town.

Ingredients: 1 packet of flour 1 bag of dry yeas 1 ½ teacups of olive oil 1 ½ cups of oil 1 little spoon of oregano 1 cup of warm water a pinch of salt