Christ In The Flames: A Reflection On The Fire At The Historic Floyd County Courthouse
- Rome Public Adjusting
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 25
On Monday, March 23, 2026, the people of Rome watched in sorrow as fire consumed much of our beloved historic Floyd County Courthouse. Built in 1892 and a landmark of downtown for over 130 years, the building caught fire around 2:20 p.m. All employees were safely evacuated, thank God—no lives were lost. Firefighters worked heroically, but the upper stories and tower suffered severe damage, and parts of the structure collapsed as the day went on. The courthouse was already undergoing renovations at the time.
Many of us stood at a distance on bridges and sidewalks, hearts heavy, seeing thick smoke rise and flames leap from the tower. The clock on that tower—once marking the steady rhythm of civic life—kept time for the first fifteen minutes of the blaze before stopping at 2:35 p.m. Ordinary time seemed to pause while something greater unfolded.
Amid the chaos, a quiet but powerful moment occurred. A woman photographer walked up to Fr. David and Matushka Elizabeth near the scene. She showed them what she saw in the fourth window from the left on the north-facing top story: a clear likeness of the face of Christ. Matushka held up an icon of the Lord, and Fr. David exclaimed, “It’s Jesus!” In the very next window—the fifth—appeared the unmistakable form of the Cross.
Even as fire raged from above, consuming the “head” of the building that represented earthly judgment, order, and communal memory, the Lord granted these visible signs of His presence. Christ the true Judge looked out through the smoke, and His victorious Cross stood beside Him.
Our own parish website, www.stclementofrome.net, records the words of Fr. John, who has called upon this “New Rome” here in Georgia to pray for “Old Rome.” In this small beginning, this faithful community is commissioned to intercede for the whole world, including those following paths that do not lead to salvation. The fire at the heart of our city feels like a living echo of that call.
As the Scripture says, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens” (Hebrews 12:26). Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Buildings of brick and stone, towers that mark earthly time, institutions of human justice and memory — all these can burn or fall. But the Cross and the image of Christ do not burn. They stand firm, beckoning us to reorient our lives to the Orient — to Christ our God, the Rising Sun of Righteousness.
In the life of the Church we are taught that fire can purify or judge, but it never has the last word when Christ is in our midst. The burning bush was not consumed. The three holy youths walked unharmed in the furnace with the Son of God. Here in Rome, no souls perished, and in the midst of loss the face of the Savior and the sign of His victory were revealed.
The courthouse held many records of our city’s history and the administration of justice on earth. Those things are passing and can be rebuilt or replaced. But the true Record-Keeper and Righteous Judge is eternal. He does not burn. His Cross stands forever.
As we grieve the damage to this historic place that has stood at the center of Floyd County life for generations, let us also lift our eyes. The stopped clock at 2:35 reminds us that all earthly time eventually yields to the eternal “today” of the Kingdom of God. The gathering crowds, the streams of water from the firefighters, the smoke rising like incense — all of it invites us to prayer and repentance.
Lord have mercy on the people of Rome and Floyd County. Comfort those who feel the loss of heritage. Strengthen the first responders. Guide those investigating the cause and planning what comes next. And grant us all eyes to see Christ even in the trials of this life.
We give thanks that in the midst of smoke and flame, the Lord allowed us to behold what truly matters: Christ is present. His Cross is victorious.
May this event draw our community — this New Rome — closer to Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, as we pray for Old Rome and the whole world.
Fr. David
Rome, Georgia
March 24, 2026 (Julian Calendar: March 11)
Even more striking is the memory that on the feast of Theophany this year, we gathered at those very waters that flow before the courthouse to bless them in the name of the Holy Trinity. The life-giving Cross was plunged into the waters at the foot of this building. Now, months later, fire has tried the upper stories from above, yet in the midst of the flames the face of Christ appeared and the sign of His victorious Cross stood visible in the window. The waters of blessing below and the purifying fire above speak together of the Lord’s presence and His call to renewal.