There are sources tracing the
painting origin to St. Luke, one of the Four Evangelists. With his talented
hand, he painted the image of Virgin Mary (Black Madonna) with a child on a
cedar table top at which the Holy Family sat.
After the crucifixion of Jesus in
Jerusalem, Christians were mistreated. They were questioned, imprisoned, or
chased out of towns. It was a painful experience for Christians, who just lost
their Savior and now were condemned for believing in him. Among the chaos that
was surrounding the city; the house of St. Luke’s mother was spared a knock on
the door, where the painting was hidden under the wooden floor.
How the painting got uncovered from
under the floor? It is not known. However, what is known is that two hundred
years later, it was gifted to Empress Helena, who ruled over a huge kingdom
called Byzantium. A devoted Christian, she was known for her dedication to the
poor, wounded and ordinary worshippers. While making pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she
received many gifts and among them was the painting of Black Madonna.
Through the following centuries the
painting was passed on from one ruler to another. Constantine the Great
received it from his mother, Empress Helena. Many centuries later, the icon was
in the hands of another devoted Christian, Prince Lev. He brought it from
Byzantium to Rus. (Today’s Belarus
and Ukraine.) At his Belz Castle, the painting was decorated with a crown and presented
to the people for worshipping. This way giving a start of adoring the Black
Madonna.
After the death of Prince Lev, Polish King
wanting to combine both lands, Rus and Polish, invaded the Belz Castle with the
help of Duke Opolski. They succeeded after many days of ferocious fight, taking
over the castle and the land.
Once inside the walls, the Duke rushed inside
the castle to look for goods and chattels. Among many treasures, he saw
something amazing. His eyes rested on a
painting. A serene peace surrounded him. He was staring at the face of Black
Madonna. Deep in his thoughts, keeping his eyes on her face he whispered to the
servants, “Take the painting to a bright room.”
With a special care, the servants carried the
painting slowly to the next room. It was situated on a massive chair facing the
window. Duke Opolski gazing at the image, which was brightened by the day light
coming through the window, was astonished even more. It seemed as the time had
stopped for him. He forgot about the troops awaiting him outside.
Not noticing a knight covered with heavy armor.
He stood patiently in the door frame, until the squeak of the shield roused the
Duke from his reflection. “Duke, we need your help with managing the troops.”
Without a word, Duke Opolski lifted his body from
kneeling down in front of the icon. Passing by the knight, with his gaze gave
him a sign to follow him. They trailed the narrow corridor up the stairs and
upon reaching the walls surrounding the castle, he gave orders.
After the agreement of joining the lands
together, it was time for the Polish army to go back home. Upon arrival in
Poland, it seemed as the Duke couldn’t find the right room for the painting.
The stone walls of the castle were not grand enough for the striking image. The
red, plush covers were not majestic enough for the prominent icon.
He envisioned the painting being displayed at
a place, where many people would come to worship it. After a longer thought, he
invited Pauline monks to Poland promising to build a monastery for them. Why
Pauline monks? They were a new Catholic religious order gaining popularity
during that period.
The monastery was built in 1382 and enjoyed a
peaceful time until 1430, when it was invaded by Hussites. They were
Protestants having a different religious view than Catholics. They plundered
through the monastery, taking many goods with them including the icon.
To their surprise, the heavy wagon with stolen
possessions wouldn’t move. One of the Hussites trying to move the cart saw the
icon at the very top not being concealed completely. “Throw it out of the
cart,” he yelled to another Hussite standing by the wagon. He yanked it with a
groan and threw it on the ground by the wheel. The angry Hussite on the cart drew
his sword and with irritation stroke the icon three times, leaving two long
scars and one short going across two scars on Black Madonna’s right cheek.
Centuries later, there were many attempts to cover the scars without success.
The scars remain and are clearly visible.
The holy painting remained at Jasna Gora. It
seems as with its miraculous powers it chose its place. It was also credited
with saving the monastery during a fire and during a Swedish invasion in the
winter of 1655.
The church was spared during the fire like it
was protected by an invisible wall. The raging flames took everything that
stood in its way, but died down before reaching the church. Somehow the painting
was left with darkened tone skin, giving her the name of Black Madonna.
Through the following centuries the popularity
of the icon grew. More and more of the faithful people made the pilgrimage to
Jasna Gora. Many of them were cured from its illnesses leaving tokens of
gratefulness. Those tokens were in the forms of thank you plates or jewelry
including pearls, precious stones, rosaries and others. They are still
displayed in the church.
People touched by the Black Madonna’s miracles
announced about the phenomena through the words. Their healed bodies were the
visible and most tangible prove of miracles.
Many petitions were signed and sent to Vatican
City for the coronation of Black Madonna. With the approval of Pope Clemens XI,
the coronation took place on September 8, 1717. Both heads of the Black Madonna
and the child were decorated with golden crowns.
The icon, marked with three scars, saved from
the fire and invasions, is the symbol of remarkable powers, giving the name of
‘luminous’ to the mount on which the monastery stands. Jasna Gora meaning
Luminous Mount.
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