Vandals ransack St. Athanasius Church in Korçë, Albania

Vandalized St. Athanasius Church in the village of Sinicë, Korçë. Photo: Albanian Police

Vandals attacked the Orthodox Church of St. Athanasius in the mountain village of Sinicë near the Albanian city of Korçë, the UOJ Albanian edition reports.

The church is located in a remote mountainous area at an elevation of about 1,300 meters above sea level. According to the report, unknown individuals entered the church grounds, smashed icons, destroyed church furnishings, and poured cement throughout the interior.

Local residents said the perpetrators first tore open bags of cement that had been prepared for repairs to the church and scattered their contents on the ground. They then went inside and overturned everything they could. Police were notified of the incident.

Residents of Sinicë believe the attackers deliberately targeted the church, noting that there are no proper roads leading to it. They suggested that the attack may have been a reaction to an article published by Korça Report that mocked villagers for performing a Greek dance during a celebration. Residents believe the divisive rhetoric of the article may have incited nationalist-minded individuals to commit the vandalism, but stressed that this is only their theory and not an official conclusion of the investigation. It will be up to law enforcement to determine whether there is any connection between the publication and the act of vandalism.

The damage to the church affects not only a site of historical and religious significance but also interfaith harmony within the community: the shrine is revered by both Christians and Muslims living in the area. The village has a history of residents working together to restore the church regardless of their religious affiliation.

Local residents described the attack as a blow to the village’s history and cultural heritage and called on the authorities to investigate the incident, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice.

As the UOJ reported, a vandal previously damaged an Orthodox church in Prizren.

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