Greece's Orthodox Church defies Epiphany lockdown order

FILE PHOTO: Orthodox faithful raise a wooden crucifix during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Costas Baltas/File Photo

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's Orthodox Church said on Monday it would defy a government lockdown order imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus and open churches to the faithful during the Epiphany celebration on Jan. 6.

Greece tightened coronavirus curbs for a week from Sunday and reversed an earlier decision to allow Epiphany services after hospitals struggled to deal with a flood of new cases.