Unlawful Intrusion at Archangel Michael Church Sparks Outrage in Kosovo

OCP News Service – 01/12/2023

Belgrade-Serbia: In an alarming incident reported by kosovapost.net on 28 November  2023, a group of individuals, led by the self-proclaimed and fraudulent priest Nikolla Xhufka, a citizen of the Republic of Albania, forcibly entered the Church of St. Archangel Michael in the Kosovo village of Rakinica/Rakinicë, municipality of Podujevo. The unauthorized entry was purportedly for the performance of a religious ceremony, but it has been condemned as a blatant assault on the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC).

The church, dating back to the 15th century and later restored, holds significant cultural and historical value. The group, including Nikolla Xhufka and alleged representatives of the Podujevo municipality, reportedly intended to declare the church as the “Church of Fan Nolli,” associated with the illegal and self-proclaimed Albanian National Orthodox Church in Elbasan.

This criminal act is the latest in a series of attempts to usurp the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, a trend labeled as “Albanianizing” or “Kosovarizing” the shared historical legacy.

Key Points from the Raška-Prizren Diocese Statement:

1. Nikolla Xhufka’s Background: The Raška-Prizren Diocese revealed that Nikolla Xhufka, a citizen of the Republic of Albania from Elbasan, is not an ordained clergyman. He falsely presents himself as an Orthodox priest, and the canonical Orthodox Church of Albania has issued a detailed public statement through the Metropolis of Elbasan, exposing his fraudulent claims.

2. Misuse of Cultural Heritage: The intrusion at St. Archangel Michael Church highlights the ongoing process of cultural appropriation, with the Raška-Prizren Diocese emphasizing the urgent need to protect their cultural and spiritual heritage. The Diocese contends that these acts are often connected with individuals and organizations affiliated with Kosovan institutions or acting with their support.

3. Ethnic and Religious Tensions: The incident is viewed as an attempt to fuel ethnic and religious hatred, contributing to instability in Kosovo. The Raška-Prizren Diocese condemns such actions, emphasizing the importance of preserving Kosovo’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious fabric.

The Raška-Prizren Diocese urges the public to be aware of the facts surrounding this incident and calls for increased efforts to safeguard cultural and religious sites from unauthorized use and appropriation. The illicit intrusion at St. Archangel Michael Church serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and the need for international attention to protect cultural heritage in the region.

Source:

OCP News Services and eparhija-prizren.com