Denzel Washington: Baptism shortly before his 70th birthday

Denzel Washington (69) was baptized over the weekend during a live-streamed ceremony. The Hollywood star also received a license that will allow him to be ordained in the future.

On Saturday, December 21, Washington was baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York’s Harlem district. He also wore a casual outfit consisting of a gray T-shirt and black sweatpants. During the ceremony, streamed live on Facebook by the First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York, he spoke to the congregation about embracing his faith just days before his milestone 70th birthday on December 28th .

“I’ll be 70 in a week,” he said, according to Page Six. “It took a while, but I’m here now.” If God can do that for him, “there is nothing he can’t do for you. The sky is literally the limit.”

His wife, Pauletta Washington, 74, was also present at this special moment and tearfully spoke about her husband’s spiritual journey. “You are the head of our house and you are a great role model for our children who are now grown children who know the difference because we showed them the difference.”

Following the ceremony, in which the Oscar winner was immersed in baptismal water, the actor also posed for photos with his priest’s license and baptism certificate. Just a month ago, he said in an essay that religion was viewed as “unfashionable” in Hollywood.

However, there are quite a few celebrities who have also received a pastor’s license. According to the Universal Life Church database, these include singer Adele (36), rapper Cardi B (32) and actors Benedict Cumberbatch (48), Whoopi Goldberg (69), Dwayne Johnson (52) and Tom Hanks (68).