Denzel Washington was baptized and licensed as a minister at Kelly Temple Church of God in New York City on Saturday.
Washington, who celebrates his 70th birthday on December 28, was seen in a series of images documenting his day. in the religious institution.
Bishop James Pullings, Jr. presented the two-time Oscar winner with documents affirming 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 throughout the world.” TMZ reported on Sunday.
In one series of images, Washington is seen dressed in a white robe with a burgundy stole with a cross on the top half of each side.
Church officials were seen immersing The Equalizer’s protagonist in water at the baptism ceremony.
Denzel Washington, who will turn 70 on Saturday, has been licensed as a minister at Kelly Temple Church of God in New York City. He was seen with minister Bishop James Pullings, Jr.
Church officials are seen immersing Washington in the water at the baptism ceremony.
The Mount Vernon, New York-born actor received support from his wife of more than four decades, Pauletta Washington, 74, on Saturday, according to TMZ, while filming from the front row.
Washington, who played the role of Macrinus in the recently released Gladiator II, cried as his wife gave an emotional speech in church, according to Page six.
Pauletta, mother of children John, 40, Katia, 38, and twins Olivia and Malcolm, 33, with the actor, made reference to her family in her speech.
She said: ‘I’m so proud of you; you are the head of our house and you have set a great example for our children, who are now adult children who know the difference because we have shown them the difference.’
Archbishop Christopher Bryant spoke with Page Six about Washington’s address to the congregation before he was baptized.
The actor said, “It took me a while, but I’m finally here. If (God) can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you; the sky is literally the limit,” according to Bryant.
Washington spoke last month about religion in a wide-ranging talk with don magazine.
“When you see me, you see the best I can do with what my lord and savior has given me,” Washington told the publication. ‘I’m not afraid. I don’t care what other people think.
In a series of images, Washington is seen dressed in a white robe with a burgundy stole with a cross on the top half of each side.
Washington spoke last month about religion in a wide-ranging chat with Esquire magazine.
The actor said last month: “When you see me, you see the best I can do with what my lord and savior has given me.” I’m not afraid. I don’t care what other people think’
Washington, who won the Oscar for best lead actor for Training Day in 2002 and best supporting actor for Glory in 1990, said Hollywood in general sought to suppress religious speech.
“Look, speaking of the fear part, you can’t talk like that and win Oscars,” Washington said. ‘You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this city.
‘I’m free now. They don’t talk about that in this town. They don’t talk about that. They don’t talk about that. 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.
“Anyway, there’s no such thing called Hollywood,” he said. ‘What does that mean? To me that means a street called Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not like we all get together somewhere and discuss what we believe.
‘So I don’t know how many other actors have faith. I didn’t do any survey. How could I know that? I mean, I haven’t attended any Church actors’ meetings.