At the Armenian Mekhitarist Monastery in Vienna, the fathers keep a special collection of old Armenian coins. Among them are five small medieval coins. On each coin are two simple Armenian letters: “ՍԲ”, which stand for “Holy.” The coins were known as “holy money.” These were not ordinary coins used for buying and selling anything. They were given to the poor. And they could be used only for food. Centuries ago, the Armenian Church had already found a way to protect the digni

In Vienna, I went to see and pray at the tomb of Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven has always been one of my favorite composers. I remember the first time I heard the 2nd movement of his “Emperor Concerto” performed live in Strasbourg by the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra. It brought tears to my eyes. It felt as if strength and gentleness, struggle and victory, were all speaking directly to my soul. What amazes me most is that some of his greatest works were written after he

In Vienna, Austria, there is a church known as the final resting place of the former royal Habsburg family, called the Imperial Crypt (Kaisergruft). In the past, when a royal funeral arrived, the official procession would knock on the closed church door to be let in. From inside, a priest would ask, “Who is asking to enter?” A guard would reply, “His Apostolic Majesty, the Emperor.” The priest would answer, “I do not know him.” They would knock a second time. Again, the pries