 Later during the Byzantine phase of the Empire, the temple was converted into a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist during the reign of Theodosius I as part of Christian persecution of paganism.After the city was conquered by the Muslims, one-fourth or half of the church was transformed into the Friday Mosque ("Jama'a Masjid") of Homs.According to numerous Muslim geographers who visited the city throughout the centuries of Islamic rule, a talisman made of white stone stood over the gate of the mosque facing the church.