„Polish” theology of the icon (sacred image)

Abstract

The historical and pastoral importance of the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa from Jasna Góra for the Church in Poland makes it become „the image” par excellance. In many expressions in the language of Church the picture from Jasna Góra is merely „the image” which becomes the theological point of reference for other „sacred images” as well. Polish theology, based on the experience of peregrination, is similar to orthodox one, which grows directly from Nice theology. It has to be mentioned though, that S. Wyszyński himself never used the term „icon”, nor does it appear in any of K. Wojtyła’s studies. It must be noted thus, that the theology of Jasna Góra’s picture according to Wojtyła – John Paul II refers to mariology of the council much more than to Nice theology of the image. According to this theology, the image is not a causative tool of presence for him but it is only a sign of objective presence which is in fact independent of the picture. It seems that western „sacred image „is a theological inverse of the icon. The frontier theology of Jasna Gora’s image projects on Polish theology of the holy image, and especially on Polish iconic piety.