Mother of God of Czestochowa | Black Madonna of Częstochowa

The Black Madonna of Częstochowa has gathered an infusion of legends and stories that have
made it an important cultural icon throughout the world. It is said that the original portrait was
created by Saint Luke himself on a cypress table that was later brought to Constantinople by
Saint Helena. From there, during the 14th century, it managed to make its way to Eastern
Europe in the dowry of a Byzantine princess.
In the year 1382, after a Tatar attack that left the image of the Virgin Mary on the painting’s
neck damaged, Prince Ladislaus of Poland decided to transport the painting from Bełz to Upper
Silesia. However, during the journey towards the monastery, the horses carrying the painting
suddenly stopped and refused to move, leading the prince to understand this as a heavenly sign
for him to entrust the painting into the hands of the devoted monks at Jasna Góra.
Over the years, the painting has undergone some turbulent experiences. During the Hussite
wars in Silesia, the monastery was attacked, yet it was said that the Hussite horses refused to
take the painting away from Jasna Góra, protecting it from the assailants. Today, the painting
remains a sacred and revered relic, honored by millions of followers from both Eastern and
Western Europe. Its intricate history and the many tales that surround it continue to captivate
the hearts and minds of those who seek spiritual guidance, cultural unity, and enlightenment.
Commemoration day: March 6