Black Madonna of Częstochowa
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The Black Madonna of Częstochowa (Czarna Madonna or Matka Boska Częstochowska in Polish) icon was, according to legend, painted by St. Luke the Evangelist on a cypress table top from the house of the Holy Family. The picture shows the Madonna in fleur de lys robes.
The painting displays a traditional composition derived from the icons of Eastern Orthodoxy. The Virgin Mary is shown as the "Hodegetria" ("One Who Shows the Way"). In it the Virgin directs attention away from herself, gesturing with her right hand toward Jesus as the source of salvation. In turn, the child extends his right hand toward the viewer in blessing while holding a book of gospels in his left hand.
One of the oldest documents from Jasna Góra states that the picture travelled from Jerusalem, via Constantinople, to finally reach Częstochowa in August 1382. The Black Madonna is credited with miraculously saving the monastery of Jasna Góra (English: Bright Mount) from a Swedish 17th century invasion, The Deluge, which actually changed the course of the war. This event led King Jan Kazimierz to "crown" Our Lady of Częstochowa ("the Black Madonna") as Queen and Protector of Poland in the cathedral of Lwów on April 1, 1656.
One legend concerning the Black Madonna of Częstochowa is that the presence of the holy painting saved its church from being destroyed in a fire, but not before the flames darkened the fleshtone pigments. The legend concerning the two scars on the Black Madonnna's right cheek is that a Hussite robber drew his sword upon the image and inflicted two deep strikes. When the robber tried to inflict a third strike, he fell to the ground and squirmed in agony until his death. Despite past attempts to repair these scars, they had always reappeared. [1]
A Catholic prayer has been written in devotion to Our Lady of Częstochowa. It is to be said by the faithful every morning upon waking up:
Holy Mother of Częstochowa, you are full of grace, goodness and mercy. I consecrate to you all my thoughts, words and actions, my soul and body. I humbly beseech your blessings and especially your prayers for my salvation. Today I turn myself to you, good mother, totally, with body and soul amid joy and suffering to obtain for myself and others your blessings on this earth and eternal life in heaven. Amen.
As a result of the Black Madonna, Częstochowa is regarded as the holiest city in Poland, with a pilgrimage made there every year by Christians. Often, people will "line up" on the side of the road to hand "luxuries" to the pilgrims as those who walk the distance to Częstochowa walk the entire day and have little means to provide for themselves.
Ukrainians also have a special devotion for the Madonna of Częstochowa. (Refer to article on The Madonna of Częstochowa in Belz.)
[edit] See also
- Fleur de lys
- Black Madonna
- Jasna Góra Monastery
- Black Madonna Shrine, Missouri
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
