Near the end of the 18th century, there was a young man, a Catholic, who lived in Syria. Pasha Djezzar, lord of the country, although not Catholic and known as a fierce ruler, took some interest in this man, who was soon to be married. The Catholic would bring his wife home to live with him and his father.

As his father was aged and sickly, he had his room on the second floor. The small, simple home was not in the finest condition. His room on the second floor was the best room in the house, most suited for his physical needs and comfort.

Unfortunately, being the best room also made it appealing to his son’s new wife. Because of that, the son politely asked his father to temporarily lend his room for her. He promised that his father would be back in this room a little after the marriage.

The father consented, and went down to the ground-floor. The change of location was more than just an inconvenience. The ground floor was neither healthy nor pleasant for him to stay in.

At the end of a month, the old man asked to have his room back, but the young couple begged him to leave it a little longer. Once again, they made him agree to leave it to them for a certain amount of time. When this time was up, and he came to ask for his old room back, his son refused to give it up, and went even so far as to abuse his poor father!

By now, the whole neighborhood was aware of the situation. The people were indignant at the son’s terrible behavior. Before long, the Pasha Djezzar himself was told of it. He immediately sent for the unfortunate young man.

In the presence of his court, the Pasha angrily asked this man what was his religion. The terrified young man made no answer. When the Pasha repeated his question with no less frustration, the man replied that he was of the Catholic Religion.

"Indeed?" said Pasha, "Well, make the Catholic’s sign."

The culprit made the Sign of the Cross without saying anything.

"Pronounce the words."

"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." And so saying he, of course, raised his right hand as usual to his forehead, then to his chest, and so on.

"Ah!" cried Djezzar, in a fearsome voice, "so the Father is above and the Son below?"

The Pasha then demanded the man go home and put his father above him there. He gave the man a quarter of an hour to do so, or else he would suffer severe criminal punishment.

As this young man had not listened to the reasonable pleadings of his father, God used the fierce Pasha to coerce him into doing the right thing. Fortunately for him and for his father, he did not ignore Djezzar’s threats - which were never made lightly.

He immediately went back home, asked his father’s pardon, and quickly restored order to his house - putting his aged father back in the best room.