The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raška and Prizren has filed a new criminal complaint against Nikola Xhufka, a controversial figure who has repeatedly entered a Serbian Orthodox church near Podujevo without authorization and performed religious ceremonies under the banner of a self-proclaimed “Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Kosovo.”
According to an official statement issued today, Xhufka forcibly entered the Church of Saint Archangel Michael in the village of Rakitnica once again, prompting the Diocese to act as an injured party and file charges through its legal representative in Podujevo. The filing took place in the presence of EULEX officials and includes unnamed individuals whose identities are yet to be determined.
The Diocese accuses Xhufka—an Albanian national claiming temporary residence in Pristina—of inciting religious and ethnic hatred under Article 141.3 of the Kosovo Criminal Code, as well as unlawful occupation of religious property under Article 320.
This marks the second reported break-in at the 14th-century church. The first occurred on November 28, 2023, when Xhufka and approximately twenty individuals entered the church and renamed it the “Church of Fan Noli,” a reference to a prominent Albanian Orthodox bishop. The group used Albanian national symbols during the ceremony and later posted images and statements on social media claiming control over the building.
Despite efforts by the Diocese to secure the church, including installing a new lock with the support of the OSCE and EULEX, Xhufka has returned. In a Facebook post two days ago, he claimed to have conducted the first baptism in what he now calls the Monastery of “Saint Alban,” accompanied by photos and a video of the ceremony.
In response, the Diocese reiterated that Xhufka is falsely presenting himself as an Orthodox clergyman and that his actions amount to a repeated, unauthorized incursion into protected ecclesiastical property. Diocesan officials have again replaced the lock and removed items illegally affixed to the church interior, noting that damage was done to the historic structure.
Contested Legal Proceedings
Following the initial break-in, the Diocese filed criminal charges, requesting identification of all participants involved—something authorities have yet to carry out, despite photographic evidence submitted to the prosecution. The Kosovo Prosecution Office issued an indictment against Xhufka on May 27, 2024. However, at a preliminary hearing on October 14, 2024, Xhufka denied all allegations, and the indictment was ultimately dismissed by the Basic Court in Pristina on December 14, 2024. The prosecution filed an appeal the previous day.
The Diocese states that it was not informed of the hearing and only learned of the case’s dismissal through media reports. The Church maintains that the legal process is ongoing and that Džufka and his associates remain under criminal investigation.
A Self-Styled Cleric and “Bishop of Kosovo”
The Serbian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Albania both reject Xhufka’s clerical legitimacy. According to the Diocese, Xhufka reportedly leads a “catacomb church” in Elbasan and has no canonical standing in any recognized Orthodox body. He has nevertheless proclaimed himself “Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Kosovo,” and on May 20, 2025—coinciding with Easter—announced the formation of a so-called “Kosovo Metropolis” at a private residence in Pristina.
“This so-called inauguration was simply a private gathering of laypersons and carries no legal or ecclesiastical weight,” the Diocese said in today’s statement.
Concerns Over Legal Inaction
The Diocese strongly criticized Kosovo’s judicial institutions for allegedly failing to investigate all individuals involved in the original break-in, neglecting to designate the Serbian Orthodox Church as an injured party, and reportedly mishandling the case in a way that undermines its legal and religious significance.
“These procedural oversights have created an environment in which individuals feel emboldened to commit acts of violence and usurpation against the Serbian Orthodox Church without facing real legal consequences,” the Diocese stated. “This is despite the fact that the accused represents no recognized religious institution and acts entirely on his own.”
Xhufka has previously used inflammatory language on social media, warning the Serbian Orthodox Church and its clergy not to interfere with what he calls “Albanian Orthodoxy,” threatening “hellfire” against those who do.
The Diocese concludes by urging both local and international authorities to treat this case with utmost seriousness to prevent further radicalization and illegal appropriation of Serbian Orthodox cultural and religious sites.
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