Sava Janjic served the liturgy in the church near Podujevo; the Kosovo Police refused to accept the criminal complaint from the Eparchy regarding the desecration of the church

In the village of Rakitnice near Podujevo, a liturgy was held today in the church of St. Archangel Michael, following a recent break-in by a group led by the self-proclaimed priest Nikolla Xhufka, a citizen of Albania.

The liturgy, with the blessing of the Bishop of Raska and Prizren, Teodosije, was officiated by the abbot of the Visoki Decani Monastery, Archimandrite Sava, in concelebration with the parish priest, Protoiereus Stanisa Arsic, as stated in the announcement by the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren.

Since a group, led by the self-proclaimed "priest" Nikolla Xhufka from Albania, broke into this church on November 28 this year, who is not recognized as a clergyman there and is known for spreading ethnic and religious intolerance, representatives of the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren first conducted a small sanctification of the desecrated church and then served the Holy Liturgy.

During the liturgy, representatives of the EULEX monitoring team, carabinieri patrols working with EULEX, and representatives of the Kosovo Police were present outside the church.

The event proceeded peacefully, and after the liturgy, the lock at the entrance to the church was replaced.

In his sermon during the liturgy, Father Sava emphasized that by consecrating the church and celebrating the Holy Liturgy, the Church of St. Archangel Michael has been restored to its regular ecclesiastical order as a place of worship of the Serbian Orthodox Church – Eparchy of Raska and Prizren.

Father Sava expressed hope that this church, like all other SOC facilities in these areas, would be respected and protected from further desecration.

"The role of our church is to promote respect among all citizens in this area but also to take care of its heritage", Father Sava said.

After the liturgy, Father Sava and representatives of the Eparchy engaged in a brief conversation with representatives of EULEX and the Kosovo Police.

The Eparchy of Raska and Prizren expresses concern over the fact that the Kosovo Police in Podujevo refused to accept the criminal complaint filed by the Eparchy regarding the break-in and desecration of the church and to conduct an investigation against the false clergymen Nikolla Xhufka and Kristijan Zagali, as well as those who participated in this illegal act.

The criminal complaint by the Eparchy at the police was rejected on two occasions: on December 1 and yesterday, December 5, when the Eparchy attempted once again, through its lawyer, to file a criminal complaint with the police in the presence of the EULEX monitoring team.

The Kosovo Police refused to accept the criminal complaint, although they are obligated to do so under the laws of Kosovo, which is a serious violation of the law, and all international representatives in Kosovo have been informed about this.