Vandal damages Orthodox church in Prizren

The Church of the Holy Savior in Prizren. Photo: Wikipedia

On August 23, 2026, in the city of Prizren, located in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, a vandal damaged two entrance doors and the exterior lighting of the Church of the Holy Savior of the Serbian Orthodox Church. This was reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists in Serbia.

Following the attack, the man was detained by local law enforcement. He is charged with destruction or damage of property. After questioning, the prosecutor ordered the release of the suspect, and the case was referred for further judicial proceedings.

The Church of the Holy Savior was built in the first half of the 14th century and is one of the significant monuments of Serbian medieval architecture. During the pogroms of 2004, the shrine was set on fire and severely damaged, with significant harm inflicted upon its ancient frescoes.

Since the pogroms, the church has repeatedly been subjected to acts of vandalism. In 2022, the iron gates on the shrine's grounds were broken into; previously, structural elements and a cross had been stolen from them. The latest attack became yet another instance of damage to a Serbian Orthodox shrine in Prizren.

Previously, the Union of Orthodox Journalists reported that the Serbian Church declared a deterioration of the situation of Serbs in Kosovo.

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