AJC Peachtree Road Race
AJC Peachtree Road Race

Cathedral of St. Philip blesses runners with holy water as they pass through

By
July 4, 2024

Outside the Cathedral of St. Philip, the Very Rev. Sam Candler, dean of the cathedral, blessed runners with holy water as they passed through Buckhead, continuing an annual tradition during The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race. He also led a prayer at the start of the race.

“Blessings, blessings, blessings!” Candler said as he showered the runners with holy water. “We are blessing all of America today. All sorts and conditions of humanity come down Peachtree Road, and we bless them because God blesses all of America.”

As racers passed the Cathedral of St. Philip, they were offered blessings of holy water, either sprinkled by the Rev. Sam Candler, dean of the Cathedral, or from a holy water mister set up above Peachtree Street. “Blessings, blessings, blessings!” Candler said to runners as they passed. (Anisah Muhammad / AJC)

Credit: Anisah Muhammad

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Credit: Anisah Muhammad

The racers thanked the reverend for his blessings.

“Hallelujah!” one runner said as they ran through.

Spectators encouraged the runners to keep going, as they waved their American flags.

”Keep doing it!” one woman shouted.

Read more about The Blessing Priest and this Peachtree tradition from a 2019 AJC article.

This was originally published on our Live Updates page.

About the Author

I'm an investigative reporter intern with the AJC and a graduate of Mercer University.

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