Our Lady of Częstochowa (Polish: *Matka Boża Częstochowska*), also known as the Black Madonna (Polish: *Czarna Madonna*), refers to a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus housed at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland. The icon is one of the most venerated Marian images in the Catholic world and has been declared the Queen and Protector of Poland. According to tradition, the painting was created by St. Luke the Evangelist on a tabletop from the Holy Family's home in Nazareth. The icon arrived at Jasna Góra in 1382 when Duke Władysław of Opole entrusted it to the Pauline Fathers. The image is distinguished by two diagonal slashes on the Virgin's right cheek, traditionally attributed to Hussite raiders who attacked the monastery in 1430. Despite multiple attempts to repair these scars, they have reappeared each time, becoming an enduring feature of the icon. In 1656, following the miraculous defense of Jasna Góra against Swedish forces, King John II Casimir proclaimed Our Lady of Częstochowa as "Queen of Poland" at Lwów Cathedral, placing the nation under her protection. ## 🕯️ Feast Day **August 26** – Solemnity of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Queen of Poland