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# Lightning Strike Sparks Fire at South Carolina Orthodox Church
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86655-lightning-strike-sparks-fire-at-south-carolina-orthodox-church/
- Published: 2026-03-09T07:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:12:13.000Z
- Description: A lightning strike sparked a brief fire in the dome of a Greenville Orthodox church, forcing a temporary closure while damage is assessed.
- Author: Michael W. Davis
- Tags: #Category: News, Damaged churches, OCA, Diocese of the South, South Carolina

**GREENVILLE, SC —** A [lightning strike](https://www.facebook.com/100088237073757/posts/lightning-strike-sparks-fire-at-greenville-churchgreenville-sc-a-lightning-strik/915813091369918/) ignited a fire late Saturday night at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church (OCA), causing damage to the church’s dome, recently installed Pantocrator icon, and chandelier, and leaving the building temporarily unusable.

According to officials, lightning struck the church at approximately 10:48 p.m. on March 7\. The strike ignited insulation inside the dome, which began smoldering and burning within the structure. Firefighters responded quickly and were already on the scene by about 11 p.m. Crews were able to contain the situation before the flames could spread further through the building.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/01/86655-lightning-strike-sparks-fire-at-south-carolina-orthodox-church-image-9a47545f22fd.webp)On this topicOCA Diocese of the South Announces 2026 Pastoral Conference](https://uoj.news/news/86277-oca-diocese-of-the-south-announces-2026-pastoral-conference/)

Authorities say the fire damage appears largely confined to the dome. However, a [significant amount](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1167114725372650) of water was used to extinguish the smoldering insulation, leaving considerable water inside the temple. As a result, the church building cannot currently be used while cleanup and damage assessments continue.

A [GoFundMe campaign](https://www.gofundme.com/f/post-fire-support-st-john-of-the-ladder-orthodox-church?attribution%5Fid=sl:34b351f6-e69a-44b4-932a-c7d299c1bf26&lang=en%5FUS&ts=1773017841&utm%5Fcampaign=man%5Fsharesheet%5Fdash&utm%5Fcontent=amp17%5Fta-amp20%5Ft1&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=copy%5Flink) has been launched to to support the parish and its recovery efforts. To donate, click [here](https://www.gofundme.com/f/post-fire-support-st-john-of-the-ladder-orthodox-church?attribution%5Fid=sl:1f5b13ad-d3a1-4711-87a1-9ee07fc16613&lang=en%5FUS&ts=1773075066&utm%5Fcampaign=fp%5Fsharesheet&utm%5Fcontent=amp17%5Fta-amp20%5Fcontrol&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=instagram%5Fstory).