ST. FRANCIS BEFORE THE SULTAN.

 

"Francis, who had almays desired martyrdom, went to Egypt, in the year 1219, to preach the Gospel. He was arrested and brought before the Sultan Melek-el-Kamel, and with great courage affirmed that he had come to Egypt to announce the Gospel, and to lead the people away from the teachings of Mohammed. He requested, as proof of the truth of his beliefs, an ordeal by fire... "I order you to build the largest possible fire. Then I will walk into the flames with all my priests; in that way at least I can convince you which law and which faith is most true, most holy and most worth it to be followed". 

From "Assisi: Art and History in the Centuries" by Romeo Cianchetta, page 50. 

I read, after ST. Francis walked into the flames: The Sultan was moved by the humbledness of the Saint and said: "You did not converted me, but you gain a friend".