The chief bishop, however, pretended to be ill. Heraclius sent for him, but he refused; he sent again, and again he refused—this happened three times. So the emperor mounted and went to him himself and said:

“Have you not realized that he is indeed the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him?”

He answered, “Indeed I have.”

Heraclius said, “Did you not see how they opposed me? You are more readily obeyed by them than I am—so come and summon them.”

The bishop asked, “Do you grant me permission for that?”

He replied, “Yes.”

The bishop said, “Very well; go on ahead, I shall follow you.”

He then came in person to their great church, and when they saw him the emperor and everyone else fell prostrate before him. He ascended the altar and proclaimed:

“O children of the dead! This is the Prophet of whom Jesus gave glad tidings. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

They snorted in anger, rushed at him, and bit him with their very mouths until they killed him. Then they set about tearing out his ribs with iron pincers until he died.