How Russell Brand has resurrected ancient Christian tradition of river baptisms ... trends now
Russell Brand being baptised in the Thames has raised more than a few eyebrows.
And the revelation he was flanked by his high profile pal Bear Grylls during the ceremony has caused a further stir.
Yet the disgraced comic's conversion to Christianity may have resurrected the ancient tradition of river baptisms in England.
Brand, 49, said he got baptised as he saw it as 'an opportunity to leave the past behind' and 'leave behind the sins'.
He told his four million Instagram followers that his baptism was an 'incredible and profound experience'.
Brand said: 'This is my path now. And I already feel incredibly blessed, relieved, nourished, held.'
Russel Brand was baptised in April with his pal Bear Grylls attending the ceremony. The duo are pictured here during the comedian's appearance on Grylls' Running Wild show
Brand says he was christened at 'at home and in the River Thames' after converting to Christianity
He confirmed on social media Grylls, 49, who is a Chief Scout, 'and my mate Joe' joined him for the traditional ceremony which dates back to the seventh century.
The practice of full immersion baptisms still occurs among churches across Britain, although the setting is more likely to be a sterilised swimming pool rather than the dirty meandering waters of a river.
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RICHARD EDEN: How Bear Grylls helped to baptise Russell Brand in the Thames after the comic converted to Christianity
Anglican churches sometimes perform river baptisms including in the Thames, as do Pentecostal ones.
Of course, nowadays, most churches baptise only at the font with a sprinkling of water over someone's head.
His baptism has courted mixed reactions within Christian circles. Although many have welcomed him into the faith, some are sceptical and see it as a publicity stunt.
The whereabouts of Brand's baptism remains a mystery with no church near where he lives in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, admitting to carrying
