This is a (black and white) image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
(a color picture available from
EWTN
It is venerated in Czestochowa
for over 600 years now.
A legend says it has been painted by Luke, the Evangelist, on a table
in Nazareth. The image is called also "Black Madonna", because the faces
of Mary and Jesus are black.
Mary of Czestochowa has been proclaimed Queen of Poland by the King
Jan Kazimierz (1659)
as the defense of Czestochowa (Jasna Gora) Monastery (1656) played major role in
stoppinmg Swedish flood across Poland and Europe in 17th century.
This title was confirmed in 1962 by the Pope John XXIII.
Back to Church in Poland page.