Bogurodzica

thumb|right|Bogurodzica performed by Collegium Vocale Bydgoszcz '''' (, calque of the Greek term Theotokos), in English known as the Mother of God, is a medieval Christian hymn composed sometime between the 10th and 13th centuries in Poland. It is believed to be the oldest religious hymn or patriotic anthem in the Polish language, which was traditionally sung in Old Polish with the Ancient Greek phrase Kyrie eleison'' . While its origin is not entirely clear, several scholars agree that Saint Adalbert of Prague is the likely author. Polish knights chanted Bogurodzica prior to their engagement at the Battle of Grunwald and it also accompanied the coronation ceremonies of the first Jagiellonian kings.

== History == thumb|200px|Bogurodzica (1506) It was recorded in writing at the beginning of the 15th century. Two records preserved till today date back to that time: the Kcynia record including two initial stanzas together with musical notation; the Kraków record covering thirteen stanzas without notes. Other records date back to the second half of the fifteenth century, the turn of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and to the beginning of the 16th century. In 1509, the hymn was printed in Kraków and incorporated into the "Statutes of Bishop Jan Łaski".