A 68-year-old woman was punched in the face Sunday, causing her to fall down the steps at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Queens, according to the NYPD.

“Everybody is shocked. You would not expect this to happen in a church setting,” Konstantinos Kalogridis, the church's pastor, told NY1.

What You Need To Know

  • A 68-year-old woman was attacked on the steps of a Queens church early Sunday
  • The attacker punched the woman in the face and robbed her
  • The woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition
  • The NYPD is still looking for the man wanted in connection to the attack

Police say the woman was attacked at 8:20 a.m. Sunday on the steps of the church. She was punched in the face and her bag that contained $300, car keys, a credit card and a phone was stolen.

The woman was taken to a local hospital Sunday in critical condition, according to police.

The NYPD is still looking for the man wanted in connection to the attack.

He is being described as 5-foot-8 and between the ages of 18 and 25.

“The police are going to be here every day and Sundays, they said. We have wonderful police,” Kalogridis said.

Spyro Kathis attends the church and is concerned.

“It was tragic. My mom lives a mile away and I grew up here. This is my church,” Kathis said.

Kalogridis showed his support by saying a blessing for the woman Sunday at the hospital.

“It’s heartbreaking. But on the other hand, going to her, seeing how she is recovering and how she is trying her best, I think that is a sign of hope,” Kalogridis said.

The NYPD posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, early Monday evening, asking for help to find the attacker.

Kalogridis told NY1 that his church will continue to evaluate its security cameras and safety protocols.