On Circumambulating a Church

I heard directly from those who say that a text exists which states that the wise and upright R. Solomon wished to spur the end of times and he wanted all to agree with his viewpoint. And he said that he would bring it about by removing the power of the impurity of Samael [a demonic figure, sometimes the angel of death] from the world. He and ten of his followers went out to a field and swore an oath, and a serpent that was twenty-two cubits in length and five cubits in width and thickness came before him, and it was bound by a chain with the holy name upon it. The serpent opened its mouth and said, “Rabbi, what are you requesting, and why have you brought me here?” And he answered, “Evil one, until when will you contaminate the world by inciting with your impurities and preventing good from reaching its proper possessors? I want to remove you from the world.” And he said to him, “You will actually find that in every place I do not desire my existence. But what good will it do you if you remove only me from this world? What will you do to all of the power of the other shells of impurity? Now, listen to me; within this field is a house of abomination [a church], a ruin; place within it such-and-such a grass. Encircle the house from the outside with holy names and light it on fire, and they will all be burnt in that fire.” But when R. Solomon did this, the chain was loosened from the serpent, and the serpent ascended above the earth, and it spread out over the world and caused damage to much of the world. And if the ten men who were with him were not so great in asceticism, purity, piety, and wisdom, then they all would have been injured.