Germany's highest court has ruled that shops must remain closed on Sundays, overturning legislation in Berlin that allowed stores to open seven days a week, angering the nation's churches.

Germany's Constitutional Court ruled Tuesday that the looser shopping hours violated the nation's constitution that upholds Sunday as a day of rest.

In 2006 the city of Berlin eased strict legislation and allowed merchants to open their doors on the four Sundays before Christmas, as well as two other Sundays in the year. It also allowed shops to remain open for 24 hours during the week.

Germany's Lutheran and Catholic churches had challenged the ruling.