Fundraiser started for Orthodox church ravaged by fire in Ohio

North Royalton, Ohio, November 13, 2017

Photo: youcaring.com Photo: youcaring.com
    

Officials are investigating a fire that spread throughout St. Matthew the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church in North Royalton, Ohio on Saturday morning, News 5 Cleveland reports.

Authorities are looking into what caused the blaze that broke out around 9:00 AM on Saturday, and crews are working to evaluate the fire and smoke damage that affected rooms throughout the entire building.

A fundraiser has been established to help the church that lost nearly its entire sanctuary.

North Royalton Fire Chief Robert Chegan says firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the church. The fire was knocked down quickly and under control within 30 minutes, Chegan said.

Fr. Andrew Harmon told Fox 8 that the building suffered extensive interior damage, although the basic structure of the building remains intact. “The beautiful things of the church, the icons and all the decorations—all that's destroyed,” Fr. Harmon said, reports Cleveland 19 News.

Photo: youcaring.com Photo: youcaring.com
    

“Our church is pretty much gone at this point. It's a bit of a shock, we didn't expect it,” St. Matthew’s member Al Blazek said.

Fr. Anthony also said that repairs to the building could take several weeks. Parishioners are worshiping at the nearby St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cleveland in the meantime.

“We're finding places where we can have our services, have our meetings, our Bible studies, our team meetings and all those. So we maybe a little here, little there,” Fr. Harmon added. “Everything is in a whirl, but we're looking into everything we can and asking God for guidance and we're asking everyone watching to pray for us as we figure out what we need to do next,” Blazek said.

A fundraiser has been established to help the St. Matthew’s community repairs its church building and get back on its feet. Those who desire to help can make a donation at the church’s You Caring page.

11/13/2017

See also
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Emergency services are investigating the possibility of arson, as local residents claim to have seen arsonists. The mayor of Prilep has asked the police to find and punish the perpetrators. The fire near the monastery has continued for 15 days; it was possible earlier to defend it by the efforts of the emergency services and hundreds of volunteers. Nuns grateful, firefighters well fed, icons unscathed as lightning starts fire in Greek Orthodox monastery Nuns grateful, firefighters well fed, icons unscathed as lightning starts fire in Greek Orthodox monastery Nuns grateful, firefighters well fed, icons unscathed as lightning starts fire in Greek Orthodox monastery Nuns grateful, firefighters well fed, icons unscathed as lightning starts fire in Greek Orthodox monastery
Despite the tragedy, the sisterhood remains hopeful in God, and grateful to all who have supported them in their time of need. “Gerontissa Theophano and the Sisters express their deep gratitude for the outpouring of prayers, love and support from all facets of the community and across the country in this time of crisis. ‘This is what gives us the courage and spiritual strength to move forward through the grace and protection of God and our Holy Mother, The Theotokos,’” the message reads. One of Greece’s oldest monasteries badly damaged in fire One of Greece’s oldest monasteries badly damaged in fire One of Greece’s oldest monasteries badly damaged in fire One of Greece’s oldest monasteries badly damaged in fire
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The fire caused considerable damage, but, thanks be to God, all are alive and no one was hurt.
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