A 78-year-old woman was violently attacked on the stairs outside her church.
Penelope was opening the Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Constantine and Helena in South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia, around 6 am on Saturday morning, when she was attacked.
A man and a woman approached her, and the man punched her in the face, pushed her to the floor and kicked her.
She lay on the floor on Barry Street alone for half an hour before a city worker found her.
Daughter-in-law Erin said Penelope had a broken wrist, fractured pelvis and bleeding in the brain in two areas.
Parishioner Jane Pallot told NCA NewsWire that the woman was “doing well” at Alfred Hospital – she had a broken arm and her face was “totally bruised”.
“Everyone is completely shocked by this – it is a terrible act of cowardice,” she said.
“She is going to open the church before the priest every Sunday – she uses her cart to balance herself and someone has just attacked her.
“She has been doing this for over 30 years and this is the first time that something like this has happened. She is a beautiful lady and the church is her life, and we will ensure that she is taken care of. “
Penelope takes full care of her husband who has dementia and the attack means that she may not be able to take care of her husband again.
Penelope’s daughter-in-law, Erin Katsavos, told the Herald Sun that Penelope remained in a good mood despite the horrific attack.
“He doesn’t know what happened, he just knows that she’s not around,” added Katsavos.
“He is very confused and upset about the whole thing. It is very important for him to have stability and routine. “
“She is very sick, but she is doing everything she can to improve.
“She is a very positive person and if anyone managed to recover from that, it would be her. She is very determined. “
Anyone who has any information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
There was a demonstration of support for Penelope after our post, with many offering their prayers and love.
