have chosen unbelief in His servant and Messenger, thereby denying (1) his prophethood.

Those who have preferred to worship images their own hands have drawn on the walls—gaudily painted in red, yellow, and blue, so lowly that if a dog drew near it would urinate upon them—yet grant these images the utmost submission, abasement, humility, and tears, and implore them for forgiveness, mercy, provision, and victory: such people are the very ones who have chosen to belie the Seal of the Messengers instead of believing in him, affirming him, and following him.

Those who deem their bishops and patriarchs too exalted for wife or child, yet attribute both (2) to the One, the Eternally Besought, are the same people who have repudiated the prophethood of His servant and the Seal of His messengers.

Those who have adopted a prayer in which their most devout and ascetic worshipper rises while urine still soils his shin (3) and thighs, faces the east, makes the sign of the cross upon his face, worships the crucified god, and opens the prayer with: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; (4) Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in heaven as it is on earth; give us the bread suitable for us” (5)—

then turns to chat with the person beside him, perhaps asking about the price of wine and pork, what he has won at gambling, or what was cooked at home. He may even break wind while praying, and, were he able, would urinate on the spot if he so wished (6); after that he supplicates to that image.