Police broke up crowds of believers ignoring coronavirus restrictions outside a church in Greece.

The faithful had gathered around noon to mark the feast day of the patron saint of Thessaloniki, Saint Demetrius.

Police attempted to disperse crowds outside the Church of St Demetrios in Thessaloniki, in line with restrictions on large gatherings, due to the pandemic.

Hundreds had flocked to the church to worship and light a candle there, causing long lines in the courtyard. Most worshippers were wearing masks however.

Police break up crowds of believers outside a church in Greece due to COVID-19 measures | Overcrowding outside St Demetrios temple on Monday noon, despite ban on public gatherings due to the pandemic. Police intervened to break up large groups of people who had gathered at the front of a church in the centre of Thessaloniki, in northern Greece, disregarding a ban on public gatherings due to the pandemic. Hundreds flocked to worship and light a candle, despite masks, there was no shortage of crowds created as the faithful waited in lines to pass in the courtyard of the temple.