Nearly a year after a fire severely damaged St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral, restoration efforts are finally set to begin. The blaze, which broke out on May 28, 2024, left the 113-year-old Cleveland landmark in ruins, with water used to extinguish the flames causing further destruction.
“I was baptized in this church. I really can’t believe this is happening. This is surreal. This is such a landmark. I cannot believe this is happening,” said Kelly Taylor, a member of the congregation, on the day of the fire.
An investigation by the Cleveland Fire Department determined the fire was accidental, reportedly sparked by roofing work in progress at the time. The church’s iconic copper dome bore the brunt of the damage, and scaffolding now supports the structure as it awaits repairs.
For Father Jan Cizmar, dean of the cathedral, the past nine months have been a whirlwind. “Interesting and very dynamic,” he described. Yet, he remains hopeful as restoration efforts take shape. “We found our way out of the woods. We found the right people. God sent us the right people. We have a great team of experts, and we know what we want to do. We know how we want to do this restoration. We are finally in a good spot,” he said.
While interior restoration has yet to begin, much of the planning work is already underway, particularly for the cathedral’s central dome. “Structural design, construction design, putting all trades together for one dome – there will be at least 34 companies that will have to cooperate and work on the dome restoration. It’s a big job,” Fr. Cizmar explained.
The church’s dome, from floor to ceiling, measures 36 feet, while the main dome and its structural base once stood at approximately 60 feet. “It’s bigger than the church, so we hope and we pray that this big moment will be successful,” he added.
Among the cathedral’s most cherished features are its Bohemian crystal chandeliers, imported from Europe, and frescoes painted directly onto the original plaster. While the frescoes remain unrestored, the chandeliers have already been brought back to life. “I didn’t believe that it can be alive again,” Fr. Cizmar said. “It’s better than ever before.”
The goal is to begin physical restoration of the church by June or July, with the entire project expected to take up to 18 months. If all goes as planned, the cathedral could reopen as early as April 2026. “The other day I came across the book of Proverbs where it says that people without vision will perish, and we have vision. We have vision to be back and therefore we will not die. We will not perish. Our hope is alive, and it will be alive,” Fr. Cizmar said.
As the church moves forward, financial support remains crucial. While insurance will cover the roof restoration, additional funds will be needed to complete the interior plasterwork and artwork. “Our insurance budget is not unlimited. We have a budget that will be sufficient to restore the roof. We will need donations to finish the interior plaster and the artwork,” Fr. Cizmar explained.
He noted that even small contributions have been meaningful. “We have one gentleman sending us a donation every week of $10. Sometimes he sends us $20. It gives you the feeling that people think of you, they pray for you.”
While the cathedral undergoes restoration, St. Theodosius Orthodox Church services will continue next door. Those wishing to contribute to the rebuilding efforts can do so through GoFundMe and Tithely.