Man arrested for allegedly attacking elderly woman outside church in South Yarra, Melbourne

A man has been arrested following the brutal attack of a Melbourne grandmother outside a church that shocked the community.

A man has been arrested over the assault of an elderly grandmother on the steps of a Melbourne church.

Penelope Katsavos, 78, was opening the St Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in South Yarra early on Saturday morning when she was allegedly punched in the face, pushed to the ground and kicked.

Horrifying pictures of her sitting on the church steps with a bloodied and bruised face after the incident shocked parishioners and the wider Melbourne community.

Police allege a 36-year-old Box Hill man assaulted her before stealing her shopping trolley containing personal items about 6.15am.

Penelope Katsavos was left bloodied and bruised after the horrific attack.

She was found by a worker cleaning the street.

The man is assisting police with their inquiries and expected to be charged with assault and theft offences.

Ms Katsavos was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police found the trolley in a nearby street with the personal items intact.