Just before his 70th birthday, which he will celebrate on December 28, actor Denzel Washington became a priest. Recently, the actor was baptized and received his ministerial license at the Kelly Temple Church in New York.
A series of photos has surfaced online showing the renowned actor at the church. In one of the images, Washington is seen posing with documents confirming his new role as a church minister. Other photos capture the moment when church officials baptized him by immersing him in water during the ceremony. At that time, Denzel was dressed in a special white robe, complemented by a maroon epitrachelion—a long, narrow scarf worn by priests over their cassocks or robes during religious services. The epitrachelion is typically decorated with crosses.
The ceremony was attended by his wife, Pauletta Washington, with whom Denzel has been married for over 40 years. During the event, she delivered an emotional speech in which Denzel was moved to tears.
“I am so proud of you. You are the head of our household, and you set a wonderful example for our children, who are now adults,” Pauletta recalled, mentioning their grown-up children.
Denzel and Pauletta have four children: 40-year-old John, 37-year-old Katia, and 33-year-old twins Olivia and Malcolm.
