The monastery and its church were built in the 5th century , remaining in use throughout the Byzantine period ( in Israeli-Judaic terms : the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods ) . This being a major pilgrimage site , a number of buildings were built for the accommodation of pilgrims as well as the local monastic community , all surrounded by walls and other fortifications . In 614 the Sassanian ( Persian ) armies invaded Palestine laying waste to most of its churches and monasteries , including the one at Kursi . The church was later rebuilt , but part of the destroyed settlement was left in its ruined state . The church continued functioning under Muslim rule after the conquest of Palestine in 638-641 until being totally devastated by the 749 earthquake . Arab squatters used the ruins as dwellings and for storage in the 9th century , marking the end of Kursi 's use as a Christian pilgrimage site
749 earthquake
749 Galilee earthquake
Kursi, Golan Heights