STONE METAPHOR

Dr. Margarethe Ottillinger was stopped at one of the block-posts of soviet army in Vienna in 1948 during the soviet occupation of Austria. She was abducted and falsely accused in espionage for the USA. She had been imprisoned in Siberian labour camp (Gulag) up until 1955 when she was finally released as part of the negotiations that led to the Austrian State Treaty, which restored Austrian sovereignty. Margarethe Ottillinger made a vow that if she were ever to return home to Austria, she would initiate the building of a church. Upon return she successfully convinced the internationally renowned sculptor Fritz Wotruba (who was initially hesitant about religious architecture) to design the church. The story of unbelievable resilience and the conclusions drawn out of the horrors of russian captivity are very inpiring in the modern days when thousands of Ukrainians and other nationals are held in the horrific imprisonememnts or tortures.