I have read that "Black Madonna" statues are black because of the result of environmental conditions.

I have also read that the "Black Madonna" was indeed a worship of Isis.

I have read the the Catholic Church does not recognize the "Black Madonna" as having anything to do with Christianity.

What is the truth surrounding the "Black Madonna"?

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 06, 2003

Answers

Response to What is the Catholic stand on the "Black Modanna"? Is there a connection to Mary Magdalene?

Well, this is what puzzles me about those candle-smoked "Black Modanna" paintings and statues.

It has been determined that the years of smoke accumulation caused those paintings/statues of the Virgin Mary to change color. The problem was that only those items changed to black while the other items did not. My thinking is that the Virgin Mary in question was black. Oh, not the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, but the other Mary, Magdalene. So the story goes, she was reported to have sought refuge in France and found a following. The evidence? The "Black Madonna". Is this a make-believe story to sell mystery books? If so, we have some big time liers peddling their sour fruit.

rod..

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 06, 2003.

Response to What is the Catholic stand on the "Black Modanna"? Is there a connection to Mary Magdalene?

"The Black Madonna" is a popular name for Our Lady of Czestochowa. The shrine to her in Poland is a major Catholic site which draws thousands of pilgrims every year. An unsubstantiated tradition is that the image was actually painted by Saint Luke. Another tradition connected with this image is that Russian troops invading Poland in 1920 saw this image of Our Lady in the clouds, and drew back. The name "Black Madonna" is indeed due to the discoloration by soot, the result of many centuries of votive candles burning in front of the image. If the image represents Mary Magdalene, one would have to explain why she is wearing a crown, and even more so, why she is holding an infant who is also wearing a crown.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), September 06, 2003.