Vandal damages Orthodox church in Kosovo

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

On August 23, 2026, in Prizren, a vandal damaged two entrance doors and the exterior lighting of the Church of the Holy Savior of the Serbian Orthodox Church, reports the UOJ in Serbia.

After the attack, the man was detained by Kosovo police. He is charged with destruction or damage of property. After questioning, the prosecutor ordered the suspect to be released, 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 culture. During the pogroms of 2004, the shrine was set on fire and severely damaged, with significant harm done to 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 UOJ reported that the Serbian Church warned of the worsening situation for Serbs in Kosovo.

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