Mikkola et al. (2008) characterized the Phase 3 destruction event as “catastrophic” and suggested that an earthquake was the most likely cause. The shock appears to have caused the upper parts of the church walls to collapse, leading to a fire when burning oil lamps fell onto the floor. As they noted, “In many parts of the church, the arches, clerestory walls, columns and upper parts of the walls collapsed.” The roof system also appears to have been damaged, as it was “rearranged in the following phase.” Fallen ashlars “shattered the marble floor and the furnishings of the church and the chapel.” Numerous “fragments of marble colonnettes, chancel screens, etc.” were reused as building elements in Phase 4. Repaired Phase 4 walls contained many “fragments of marble slabs from the floor of Phase 2, now used as chinking stones.” Wall fills were rich in debris, especially Wall I, first constructed in Phase 4, including “broken marble furnishings, pottery, glass, nails and roof tiles.”

The chapel was also damaged, as indicated by extensive Phase 4 repairs. Roof supports were rearranged, and Phase 2 columns collapsed and were reused in Phase 4, despite some drums being broken. The western wall of the chapel appears to have collapsed entirely and was replaced by a new one (Wall OO). Parts of Wall H also appear to have been damaged, evidenced by a rebuild of its upper courses in the following phase. The pilasters in the chapel also appear to have been destroyed, as their replacements visible during excavation were backed by wall plaster.

Although damage was extensive, not all church walls collapsed, and some remained standing. The apse of the church also appears to have survived. The shattered marble floor was reused, with fragments pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle. “Large quantities of debris, including charcoal, burnt tiles, broken and fire-damaged glass and ceramic sherds, and pieces of marble and other stones, were found in the midden outside the monastery enclosure, excavated in Trench R.” The uniformity of this debris led the excavators to conclude it represented refuse from “a fire-related destruction,” cleared from the Church and Chapel before rebuilding began in Phase 4.

Dating to the mid–late 6th century CE was based on glass finds, complemented by ceramics, and fits well with the late 6th- century Inscription at Areopolis Quake.