The Aqaba church was built sometime in the late third or the beginning of the fourth century , as indicated by the pottery finds from its foundations . Its first phase was dated between 293 and 303 , which makes it older than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem , both of which were built in the late 320s . It predates Diocletian 's anti-Christian persecution of 303-313 , one of the greatest in Roman history , during which the building was apparently abandoned . The Great Persecution resulted in the removal of several Christian buildings in the region ; this church 's well-preserved status is attributed to its peripheral location within the Roman Empire . Sometime between the end of Diocletian 's persecution wave and the year 330 , the church was refurbished and stayed in use until its destruction during the catastrophic earthquake of 363 . Its demise is dated on the base of the latest coins found there by archaeologist , which are from 337-361 . Once abandoned , the ruined building was soon filled by wind-blown sand , which helped preserve its walls to a remarkable height
catastrophic earthquake of 363
Galilee earthquake of 363
Aqaba Church