This weekend, I am with our community in Dallas. Yesterday, Der Ghevond and I arrived early at St. Sarkis Church for the ACYOA youth game night. Before the others came, we picked up the ping-pong paddles and began to play. We didn’t keep score. We simply rallied the ball back and forth, enjoying the rhythm of the game. As we played, I started thinking about the difference between playing to win and playing for joy. When you keep score, everything changes. Every point matters.

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