Denzel Washington was baptized on Saturday and received a minister’s license at the Kelly Temple Church of God in New York City.
Washington, who celebrates his 70th birthday on December 28, was featured in a series of images documenting his day at the religious institution.
The two-time Oscar winner was presented by Bishop James Pullings Jr. with documents confirming his status as a minister.
Church officials told the crowd that the A-list actor was now “a member of the clergy of the Churches of God in Christ Worldwide,” TMZ reported on Sunday.
In one series of images, Washington was dressed in a white robe with a burgundy stole with a cross on the top half of each side.
Church officials were seen dunking The Equalizer’s leading man in water during the baptism ceremony.
Denzel Washington, who turns 70 on Saturday, received a minister’s license at the Kelly Temple Church of God in New York City. He was seen with minister Bishop James Pullings, Jr.
Church officials were seen dunking Washington in the water during the baptism ceremony
The Mount Vernon, New York-born actor was supported by his wife of more than four decades, Pauletta Washington, 74, as she filmed from the front row, according to TMZ on Saturday.
Washington, who played Macrinus in the recently released Gladiator II, cried as his wife gave an emotional speech in church. Page six.
Pauletta, mother of children John, 40, Katia, 38, and twins Olivia and Malcolm, 33, with the actor, referenced their family in her speech.
She said, “I’m very proud of you; you are the head of our house and you have set a great example for our children, who are now grown children who know the difference because we showed them the difference.”
Archbishop Christopher Bryant spoke to Page Six about Washington’s address to the congregation before he was baptized.
The actor said, “It took a while, but I’m finally here [God] can do this for me, there is nothing He can’t do for you – the sky is literally the limit,” said Bryant.
Washington spoke about religion in a wide-ranging conversation last month Esquire magazine.
“When you see me, you see what I can do best with what my lord and savior has given me,” Washington told the publication. ‘I’m not afraid. I don’t care what anyone thinks.’
In one series of images, Washington was dressed in a white robe with a burgundy stole with a cross on the top half of each side
Washington spoke about religion last month in a wide-ranging conversation with Esquire magazine
The actor said last month: “When you see me, you see what I can do best with what my lord and savior has given me. I’m not afraid. I don’t care what anyone thinks’
Washington – who won the Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Training Day in 2002, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Glory in 1990 – said Hollywood in general tries to suppress religious talk.
“Look, talking about the fear part of it, you can’t talk like that and win Oscars,” Washington said. ‘You can’t talk and party like that. You can’t say that in this city.
‘I’m free now. It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about. It’s not talked about. It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe.”
In the interview, Washington questioned the concept of Hollywood.
“There’s no such thing as Hollywood,” he said. ‘What does that actually mean? To me that means a street called Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe.
“So I don’t know how much other actors have confidence. I didn’t take a poll. How would I find out? I mean, there are no church actors meetings I’ve been to.”