“I was a Persian from the people of Isfahan, from a village called Jayy. My father was the headman of his village, and I was the most beloved of all people to him. His love for me continued until he confined me in his house, so that I would remain constantly devoted to the fire, just as a young girl is kept indoors. I devoted myself diligently to Zoroastrianism, until I became the keeper of the fire he kindled, which he never allowed to go out for even an hour.
“My father had a large estate. One day, he was occupied with some construction work, and he said to me, ‘My son, I am occupied today with this building work and cannot attend to my estate. Go and inspect it for me,’ and he instructed me concerning certain matters he wanted attended to there. So I set out for his estate, but passed by one of the churches of the Christians and heard their voices as they prayed inside. I knew nothing of people’s religious affairs, because my father had confined me in his house. When I passed by them and heard their voices, I went in to see what they were doing.
“When I saw them, their prayer pleased me, and I became drawn to their religion. I said, ‘By Allah, this is better than the religion we follow.’ By Allah, I did not leave them until the sun had set, and I neglected my father’s estate and did not go to it. I asked them, ‘Where did this religion originate?’ They replied, ‘In Syria.’
“Then I returned to my father. He had sent people out to look for me, and I had kept him from all his work. When I came to him, he said, ‘My son, where have you been? Did I not entrust you with what I entrusted you with?’ I said, ‘My dear father, I passed by some people praying in one of their churches, and what I saw of their religion pleased me. By Allah, I remained with them until the sun had set.’ He said, ‘My son, there is no good in that religion. Your religion and the religion of your fathers and grandfathers are better than it.’ I said, ‘No, by Allah, it is better than our religion.’
“He became afraid of me, so he placed a shackle on my leg and then confined me in his house. I sent word to the Christians, saying, ‘If a caravan of Christian merchants from Syria arrives among you, inform me.’ A caravan of Christian merchants from Syria then arrived among them, and they informed me. I said to them, ‘When they have completed their business and intend to return to their land, let me know.’ When they intended to return to their land, they informed me. So I cast off the iron from my leg and went out with them until I arrived in Syria.
“When I arrived there, I asked, ‘Who is the best follower of this religion?’ They said, ‘The bishop in the church.’ So I went to him and said, ‘I have become drawn to this religion, and I would like to stay with you, serve you in your church, learn from you, and pray with you.’ He said, ‘Come in.’ So I went in with him.”