Penelope Katsavos, 78, was viciously attacked on the steps outside her church.
Penelope, known to the parish as Kyra Poppy, was opening Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox church in South Yarra at about 6am on Saturday morning when a man and woman approached her. The man punched her in the face, pushed her to the ground and kicked her.
She lay alone for half an hour on Barry Street before she was found by a council worker, according to press reports. Sources of Neos Kosmos say the priest, his wife and a friend were the ones who found her lying at the steps of the church and immediately alerted the police to the incident.
Characterised as the “life of the church” by former church vicar Dimitris Papakyriakopoulos. He spoke of Kyra Poppy’s devotion to the church which she cleaned, lit candles and was present during sacraments.
“For more than 30 years, Kyra Poppy has been the life of the church. She cleaned, took care of things and gave her soul voluntarily. Without pay,” he said of the parishioner who lived near the church.
“She contributed as much as anyone to pay off money owing. We wish her a speedy recovery.”
Her hip and wrist were fractured and she had internal bleeding.
Erin Katsavos, Penelope’s daughter-in-law, told 3AW it was a senseless attack.
“They did initially take her shopping trolley but they just discarded it without stealing anything, no money, not her phone. They’ve just done it,” she said.
“We’re just shocked … and just devastated for her.
“We want the people who did this to be found, so that, firstly, they can’t do it anybody else, and that they’re held accountable for what they’ve done.
“It’s too early to really tell what the ongoing issues will be,
“They’re still monitoring what’s going on with her brain.”
If you witnessed the attack, or have any information, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
