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''Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn'' ((リトアニア語:Aušros Vartų Dievo Motina), (ポーランド語:Matka Boska Ostrobramska), (ベラルーシ語:Маці Божая Вастрабрамская)) is the prominent painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated by the faithful in the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius, Lithuania. The painting was historically displayed above the Vilnius city gate. The city gates of the time often contained religious artifacts intended to guard the city from attacks and to bless the travelers. The painting made in a Northern Renaissance style was completed possibly in the first half of the 17th century, around 1630; the Virgin Mary is depicted without the infant Jesus. She is depicted accordingly to the Immaculate conception iconography, with a golden light aureola, the circle of stars around her head, the half-moon and with her head bowed in veneration.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Madonna, Religious )〕〔(is not uncommon for the Madonna to be depicted without her child, in scenes that narrate events before Jesus' birth–such as the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation (when Gabriel brings news that Mary will bear the son of God), and the Visitation (when Mary's miraculous pregnancy is recognized by her cousin Elizabeth)–or events that take place after his death, such as Pentecost (the descent of the Holy Spirit onto Mary and the apostles) or the Assumption of the Virgin. At times, the Madonna may be shown alone, outside of a narrative context, especially in a devotional image (a figure intended to evoke prayers and elicit veneration for the individual represented). For example, cult statues of Mary need not include her child, if honoring her role as intercessor in heaven on behalf of those who address prayers to her. )〕 The artwork soon became known as miraculous and inspired a following. A dedicated chapel was built in 1671 by the Discalced Carmelites. At the same time, possibly borrowing from the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the painting was covered in expensive and elaborate silver and gold clothes leaving only the face and hands visible. The legend tells that in 1702, when Vilnius was captured by the Swedish army during the Great Northern War, The Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn came to her people's rescue. At dawn, the heavy iron city gates of the ''Gate of Dawn's'' fell, crushed and killed four Swedish soldiers. After this, the Lithuanian Army successfully counter-attacked near the gate. In the following centuries, the following grew stronger and ''Our Lady'' became an important part of religious life in Vilnius. The following inspired many copies in Lithuania, Poland, and diaspora communities worldwide. The chapel was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1993. It is a major site of pilgrimage in Vilnius and attracts many visitors, especially from Poland.〔 ==History== It is believed that the painting was commissioned by the government of Vilnius.〔 It was customary to place paintings or sculptures of various saints in niches of walls hoping that they would protect the building.〔 The governor of Vilnius ordered two paintings, one depicting Lord Jesus the Saviour ("Salvator Mundi"), and the other the Virgin Mary.〔 Both of them decorated the Gate of Dawn of the Vilnius city wall – a defensive structure with no religious importance at the time. The painting of Lord Jesus decorated exterior of the gate, while ''Our Lady'' was placed much in the same place as it is now–〔 a small niche, protected by shutters from rain and snow. Narrow and steep stairs led to a small balcony where the faithful could light candles and pray.〔 In 1650, Albert Wijuk Kojałowicz published ''Miscellanea'', listing all miraculous paintings of Mary, but did not mention ''Our Lady of the Gate of the Dawn''.〔 In the mid-17th century the Discalced Carmelites built the Church of St Teresa and their monastery near the Gate of Dawn.〔 In 1655 the city was captured, looted, and depopulated during the Battle of Vilnius of the Russo-Polish War. Likely the city government, short of funds, transferred maintenance of the gate and the paintings to the Carmelites.〔 The painting of Lord Jesus was moved the Carmelite monastery and later to Vilnius Cathedral (a fresco of Jesus was painted in its original niche in the 19th century).〔 In 1671, the monks established a wooden chapel, devoted to ''Our Lady'', next to the gate tower. Around the time the painting was covered in expensive silver clothes. By that time, the painting was already an object of public veneration and the chapel dedication ceremony was attended by many prominent figures of the time: Chancellor Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac, Grand Hetman Michał Kazimierz Pac, senators of the general sejm, and others.〔 In May 1715, the wood chapel burnt down, but the painting was saved and placed in the Church of St Teresa. In 1720 the current brick chapel was dedicated in presence of four bishops, a number of senators, and a large crowd of the faithful.〔 In 1761, the monk Hilarion published ''Relacja o cudownym Obrazie Naijświętszej Marji Panny etc'', the primary source for the painting's early history and also the first collection of various miracles attributed to it. In 1773 Pope Clement XIV granted an indulgence to the faithful, designating the chapel as a place of public worship, and established a charitable society.〔 At the turn of the 19th century, Tsarist authorities demolished the city wall and all the city's gates, save for the Gate of Dawn and its chapel. In 1829, the chapel underwent restoration and acquired elements of late Neoclassicism. Since the entrance to the chapel was from inside the Carmelite monastery, women could not go inside. Because of this, one female devotee sponsored the construction of a two-storey gallery on the side of the street in 1830.〔 In 1927, major restoration works were completed under bishop Romuald Jałbrzykowski. With permission from Pope Pius XI, the painting was solemnly crowned ''Mother of Mercy'' on 2 July 1927 by then-Archbishop of Warsaw Alexander Cardinal Kakowski. The ceremony was attended by President Ignacy Mościcki, First Marshal Jozef Pilsudski, Primate of Poland August Hlond, 28 other bishops, and other dignitaries.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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