When Beethoven composed his Ninth Symphony in 1824, he had been completely deaf for nearly a decade. This monumental work, culminating in the famous “Ode to Joy” chorus, was created by a man who could never hear it performed. At the symphony’s premiere in Vienna, Beethoven stood on stage to conduct, but the orchestra had […]

For two painstaking years, Rembrandt poured his heart into what would become one of his most famous works, “The Night Watch.” This monumental painting was commissioned by a civic militia group expecting a traditional portrait: a neat, orderly line-up of distinguished men. Instead, when Rembrandt finally unveiled his masterpiece, the sponsors were shocked. The painting […]

In 1888, a French newspaper made a striking error that would change the course of history. When Alfred Nobel’s brother Ludvig died in Cannes, the newspaper mistakenly published an obituary for Alfred instead. The article was titled “The Merchant of Death is Dead.” As Nobel read his own obituary, his heart sank. There, in black […]

In John 6:15-21, we encounter a profound moment where the disciples, caught in the middle of a storm, find themselves battling both the physical winds and the emotional winds of fear and doubt. They rowed for hours without making progress, struggling against a force far beyond their control. And then, when it seemed like all […]

Have you ever noticed the snake symbol on medical vehicles and buildings? This caduceus – a snake coiled around a pole – has become the universal symbol of healing. It might seem strange to use a snake, often associated with danger, as a symbol of healing. Yet this paradox connects directly to one of Jesus’s […]

In December 1914, Ernest Shackleton and his crew found themselves in a desperate situation as their ship, the Endurance, became trapped in Antarctic ice. For months, they faced bitter cold, dwindling supplies, and the constant threat of death. When their ship finally sank, they were left with nothing but three small lifeboats and their will […]

In 1928, Alexander Fleming was researching influenza when he noticed that mold had contaminated one of his petri dishes. Instead of throwing it away, he observed that the area around the mold was clear, showing the mold had secreted something that inhibited bacterial growth. This accidental contamination led to the discovery of penicillin, the world’s […]

In the depths of winter, as we gather to celebrate the Theophany of our Lord on January 6th, we are not merely marking a date on the calendar – we are participating in a profound testament to standing firm in truth. The Armenian Church’s commitment to celebrating Christ’s birth and baptism on this original date, […]

The parable of the ten minas challenges our natural desire for immediate results. When the master distributed the money, he didn’t give his servants a business plan or timeline – just resources and the command to “Put this money to work.” Like them, we often find ourselves in seasons where we’re working faithfully but seeing […]