Russian Mythology

I've been reading some history of Russian Orthodoxy and am amazed at how many myths have been developed through the ages in Russia. They are very creative storytellers and it is difficult to tell fact from fiction many times. They had a tendency to raise questions and if no one had a good answer, they would simply fill in the blanks. This is one of those stories! (which is NOT one of the stories where it is hard to tell whether it is fact or fiction...)

"A legend arose that Adam made a crown or garland from branches and twigs of the tree of life while he still resided in paradise. At his death, Adam was buried wearing the garland. As time passed, an immense tree grew out of the garland and the roots embedded themselves in the coffin of Adam. After many centuries the entire tree was dug up-roots and coffin included-and brought to Solomon for use in building his temple. The tree was rejected by the builders and was replanted on the hill of Golgotha, including the roots and Adam's coffin. Later, the tree was hewn down and used to make the very cross that Christ was crucified on. When the blood of Christ flowed from his body, it seeped into the ground and into the coffin, and dripped upon the preserved head of Adam. This incident absolved Adam of his sins and provided him redemption." from A History of Russian Christianity by Daniel Shubin

You've got to give them points for creativity! That's a great story!