Although Mikkola et al. (2008) noted that “continuous re-building and structural damage” had “probably made the buildings weaker” and “more vulnerable to seismic events,” they nevertheless characterized the destruction observed in Phase 8 as “major.” Wall J was found tilted toward the south and was later shored up by a buttress installed in the following phase. The “ arches of the southern aisle” and those spanning the nave appear to have collapsed, together with the semi-dome over the apse. The floor of the apse was damaged, and the bema also “suffered heavy damage.” Although the stone tumble in this part of the church was cleared in Phase 9, the semi-dome was not rebuilt and the apse floor was not repaired.

Parts of the colonnades of the atrium collapsed, and the atrium floor was damaged, though it was “difficult to determine whether it was damaged” specifically in Phase 8. The “square pilaster (locus L.14), or pedestal, in the eastern part of the atrium was also “probably” destroyed in Phase 8. The “arch covering the southern pastophorion most likely collapsed in Phase 8, given that the entire southern wall of the basilica was severely affected by the destruction. Unlike the arch in the northern pastophorion, this arch must have been rebuilt in Phase 9, as indicated by the discovery of collapsed voussoirs among the stone tumble inside the room (locus M.04). The mosaic in the narthex was also damaged, “especially in the central medallion, which was never repaired.” The date of this damage remains uncertain, as it “may have been caused by the events of either Phase 8 or Phase 10.”

The northern part of the church fared better than the southern part, and “arches covering the northern aisle survived intact.” Glass finds “support the idea that some walls survived Phase 8 comparatively well, as at least some windowpanes used in Phase 7 appear to have remained in use in Phase 9.” It was suggested that the northern part of the church, abutted by the structure of the chapel, was firmly buttressed by its compact form and therefore better able to withstand the earth tremor.

Iconoclastic damage may provide a terminus post quem for this destruction, as the first iconoclast period began at least as early as 730 CE, not long after the iconoclastic edict issued by the Caliph Yazid II in 723/724 CE. Mikkola et al. (2008) therefore suggested that the Phase 8 destruction occurred soon after this episode of iconoclastic damage.