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Saint Luke the Evangelist, according to tradition, is believed to be the original artist of this painting in which Mary is depicted holding the Christ Child. This sacred picture, enshrined and venerated at the renowned Marian Shrine in Poland, was first brought from Jerusalem through Constantinople and was bestowed to the Princess of Ruthenia. It was brought to Poland in 1382 through the efforts of Ladislaus of Opole who had discovered it in a castle at Belz. To ensure its protection, he invited the Monks of Saint Paul the First Hermit from Hungary to be its guardians.

From this time onward, the historic records of the painting are documented and authenticated by the miracles associated with the painting. In 1430, a devastating attack on the Polish Shrine resulted in tragic losses and the damaging of the holy picture. To this very day, despite the attempts to repair the damage, the slashes on the face of the Virgin Mary are still visible.

The foundation of the Monastery and Shrine in Czestochowa began with a small wooden church. Subsequent development (1632-48) led to the construction of the present day basilica and defense wall which surrounds the sacred buildings. Under the heroic leadership of the Prior of the Monastery, Father Augustine Kordecki, the Shrine withstood the attacks of the Swedish Invasion of 1655. This great victory proved to be a tremendous boost to the morale of the entire Polish nation.

As a result, King Jan Casimir, in 1656, made a solemn vow proclaiming the Mother of God to be the "Queen of the Polish Crown" and the Shrine of Jasna Gora to be the "Mount of Victory" and a spiritual capital for Poland.

During the years of Poland's partition (1772-1918) the Shrine of Jasna Gora became a vibrant link for the Polish people with their homeland. The holy painting enshrined at Czestochowa beamed as a lighthouse of hope during the painful years of national hardships and defeats.

Following the restoration of national independence in 1918, pilgrimages to the Polish Shrine grew in number and size. As World War II ended, a nation devastated by the scourges of war drew new strength and courage from the Shrine to rebuild and recover from the war. Today the Shrine of Czestochowa in Poland attracts millions of worshipers and tourists who come to honor the miraculous image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

From: www.polishamericancenter.org/Czestochowa.htm

Taken in: Poland / Silesian / Częstochowa (show map)

Taken on: May 9, 2008

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Sets appears in: • For sale @ Getty images • Churches and cathedrals more » • Poland / Polska • getty 2012 06 voorlopig juni « less

Groups appears in: • Poland • Virgin Mary more » • Pictures of Jesus and Mary. • Religion • Our Catholic Walk • Religious Iconography • Catholicism • Catholic Churches • holymary • Totus Tuus Maria • Częstochowa • Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace • Mary Mother Of Jesus • ARTE RELIGIOSA: The Art of Divinity • Mary, Mother of Christ • Mary, Queen of All Nations • Ave Maria, Purissima!! • Religious Art • Sancta Maria, Ora Pro Nobis • Maria Santisima, Madre de Dios • Piękna Polska • Virgin Mary, Mother of GOD • Christian Religious Iconography • "Images of the Virgin Mary in Guatemala and other countries" • Vírgenes Negras / Black Virgins / Vierges Noires / Madonne Nere • Images of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Around the World • Avé Maria • Cathédrales, églises, abbayes • The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother « less

Camera: Ricoh Caplio R5, f/4.6, 1 sec, 25.8mm, ISO 64 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Ricoh Caplio R5
Aperture:	f/4.6
Exposure Time:	1
Focal Length:	25.8mm
ISO:	64
Exposure Bias:	-0.7 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Daylight
Sharpness:	Hard
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.4 (Windows)
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