An Anglican vicar from Lancashire, England, has delivered a 28-hour, 45-minute sermon, breaking the world record for the longest unscripted speech.

Chris Sterry, 46, began his marathon sermon June 29.  He was not allowed to repeat himself, talk nonsense, or to pause for more than 10 seconds, but was permitted a 15-minute break every eight hours. A former lecturer on the Old Testament, Sterry took the first four books of the Bible as the text of his sermon. 

Sterry’s sermon was broadcast live every fifteen minutes on CNN throughout June 30. He says he undertook the challenge as a fund-raising effort for his church.

News reports do not indicate whether any of his parishioners also lasted the entire distance.