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Kloster Einsiedeln, fraction of Einsiedeln commune (Schwyz canton, Switzerland)

Last modified: 2011-01-07 by rob raeside
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Kloster Einsiedeln

[Flag of Kloster Einsiedeln] image by Pascal Gross

Or two Crows Sable.
Željko Heimer, 23 July 2002

The two ravens depicted on the flag are the ravens of the Venerable Martyr Saint Meinrad, a Benedictine hermit (whence “Einsiedeln” or “hermitage”). He was killed by robbers seeking to steal the donations of pilgrims who were coming to pray before St Meinrad’s image of the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln which the humble monk had enshrined in his hermit’s chapel. The two ravens attacked the robbers and followed them into the village. The people immediately recognized Meinrad’s ravens and, sensing something was wrong, arrested the two men who could not stop the ravens from attacking them with loud noises. Meinrad’s body was discovered and his veneration as a saint by the people began immediately. St Meinrad’s two beloved ravens have figured prominently in the crest and flag of both Einsiedeln (on the red background) and Kloster Einsiedeln (on a yellow background).
Alexander Roman, 28 January 2010