A protest held on Monday night by the community of St Constantine and St Helen’s Greek Orthodox church in South Yarra has forced the Stonnington Council to defer plans to create a Sunday art and craft market on Elizabeth Street.

The parishioners and members of the community were concerned that the Sunday market would inevitably take up free access to car parking for the parishioners and make access to the church difficult for Sunday services.

Cr Tas Athanasopoulos led the protest on Monday night to the council with the recommendation that the council refuse the application to close Elizabeth Street, South Yarra between Market Lane and Lara Street between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:00 pm on Sunday. The application was refused by council with a vote of five to three.

“I have had a few wins in my life but nothing like this,” Cr Athanasopoulos told Neos Kosmos adding that the voice of the community – when working together – can overturn a council decision.

The councillor, alongside Fr Dimitri from the South Yarra church, presented the council with over 1300 signatures from community members and local businesses rejecting the proposal.

On Monday night, members of the community – including two busloads of parishioners organised by Fr Dimitri – all gathered at council to protest against the plans to close off Elizabeth street on Sundays.

“It was a great success,” said the councillor who added it was refreshing to see some of the younger generations of Greek Australians attend the protest.