The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has expressed concern following yet another unauthorized entry by Nikola Xhufka into the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Archangel Michael near Podujevë/Podujevo, marking the third such incident.
“Recognized religious communities must be able to exercise their rights freely,” the Mission stated, calling on law enforcement authorities and the judiciary to act swiftly, investigate thoroughly, and prevent further intrusions. “Respect for religious rights and the rule of law is key to protecting Kosovo’s cultural and religious heritage,” the OSCE emphasized.
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is concerned by another unauthorized entry by Nikola Xhufka into the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Archangel Michael near Podujevë/Podujevo — the third such incident. Recognized religious communities must be able to exercise their rights freely. 1/2
— OSCE Kosovo (@OSCEKosovo) July 4, 2025
Third Intrusion Reported
This statement follows the announcement by the Ras-Prizren Diocese that it has filed a third complaint against Nikola Xhufka, an Albanian citizen who falsely presents himself as an Orthodox bishop.
Xhufka first forcibly entered the church on November 28, 2023, accompanied by around twenty other individuals. At that time, he renamed the church the “Fana Noli Church” and performed a so-called religious “ceremony” while using the Albanian national flag, after which the group posed for photographs in front of the building.
He subsequently posted on Facebook, declaring that he had taken over the church and renamed it. Speaking on behalf of what he called the “Albanian National Orthodox Church,” he addressed the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC), Patriarch Porfirije, and the Ras Diocese, warning:
“Do not dare to approach Albanian Orthodoxy and the Fan Noli Church in Rakinica, Podujevo, or you will face the fires of hell, as throughout history.”
In response, the Ras-Prizren Diocese reconsecrated the church, held a liturgy, and installed a new lock in the presence of police officers as well as OSCE and EULEX representatives.
The Diocese tried to file a complaint with the Kosovo Police in Podujevo both independently and with EULEX support, but according to their statements, police refused to accept it. The case was later referred to the prosecutor’s office, which filed an indictment against Xhufka on May 27, 2024. His first hearing before the Basic Court in Pristina was held on October 14 of the same year, where he denied all the accusations alongside his lawyer.
At the end of last year, Xhufka went so far as to proclaim himself the “Bishop of Kosovo,” reportedly with the backing of certain schismatics, according to the Diocese.
The incidents did not stop there. In May this year, he again broke into the Church of St. Archangel Michael in Rakinica near Podujevo, and posted on Facebook that he had performed the first baptism at the “Saint Alban Monastery” in the village of Rakinica.
Once again, the Ras-Prizren Diocese, this time in the presence of EULEX representatives, filed a criminal complaint against him with the police.
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