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Denzel Washington had a sacrament on his Christmas list this year.
The Gladiator II star, 69, spent Saturday, December 21 being baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ, which is located in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The ceremony was live streamed via Facebook.
During the ceremony, Denzel was also presented with a minister license so that he can be ordained in the future. The Oscar winner was casually dressed for the ceremony, where he was joined by his wife of over 40 years, Pauletta Washington.
Denzel spoke with the congregation about finding his faith later in life. "It took a while, but I'm finally here," he said, according to Archbishop Christopher Bryant, per Page Six. "If [God] can do this for me, there's nothing He can't do for you. The sky literally is the limit."
Denzel could be seen getting emotional, and seemingly wiping away tears as his wife celebrated his special occasion. In stills from the live stream, The Equalizer star could be seen sitting on the pulpit in a gray T-shirt and black sweatpants, watching up as his wife spoke.
"Forty-six years later, here I'm still standing next to him as only God will have it," Pauletta said. "So, 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 adult children who know the difference because we have shown them the difference." Pauletta and Denzel share John David, 40, Katia, 38, and twins Malcolm and Olivia, 33.
The momentous occasion for Denzel comes after the Broadway actor spoke with Esquire about how religion is "not sexy" in Hollywood.
"When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I've been given by my lord and savior. I'm unafraid," he told the publication in an interview published in November. He went on to suggest that you can't even speak about religion in Hollywood, sharing, "You can't talk like that and win Oscars."
"I'm free now," Denzel continued. "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."
Most recently, Denzel appeared as Macrinus in Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, a role that many think could earn him another Oscar nomination.
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