On Mount Athos, in the skete of St. Anne, monks cultivate a cereal crop with hard grains and call it the TEARS OF THE VIRGIN (Tears of Panagia).
 
According to the tradition, the plant called "Panagia's Tears" ("The Tears of the Mother of God") took its name from the monks living in the Skete of Saint Anne in Mount Athos, after the following event occurred: A pious Elder living in the Cell of the Holy Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon, just above the Skete, being sad of his inability to tie a wool prayer rope, received the miraculous visit of the Most Holy Mother of God, saying to him: "Why are you sorrowful?"
He answered: "I can not learn to knit a prayer rope."
Then the Lady gave him the seeds and said: "Take my tears, cultivate and make a prayer rope and pray: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy. Most Holy Theotokos save us".