The largest family of Russia lives in the district town Saraktash of the Orenburg region. The protopriest of the Holy Trinity cloister of Mercy Father Nikolay and his wife Matushka Galina Stremsky are raising 70 adopted children brought from many orphanages in Russia since 1992 up to the present day. It is through various ways, often burdened by gloomy life experience that the children from all over Russia joined Father Nikolay. All the adopted children or those in ward taken from orphanages, as a rule, suffer from numerous diseases. For instance, two boys have already undergone expensive eye surgeries, others are awaiting similar operations. And how much money is spent on medicines! Can one say that the past is already forgotten?
"Do you need a child? As a matter of fact, we face another case in our maternity when a mother refused her baby… Well, how could I say no? I receive often such phone calls, - Father Nikolay says. Any human being has a right for life. Anyone, because our Lord gives this life and it is not for us to decide whether it's necessary or not. I heard in some news release that during the last winter over 130 waifs died of cold exposure in the capital. It means that we, humans, denied them a chance of survival. The supreme calling of Church is that of serving Man."
"In one of the orphanages I had such a conversation with a little boy:
"Are you my dad?
"Yes."
"And where have you been?
I was bewildered and answered him:
"And where you have been?" - father Nikolay tells.
Now this boy as well as all of his 70 adoptive brothers and sisters can say serenely: "I have parents!"
All the new things are the well forgotten old ones. Visitors coming to meet the Stremsky family for the first time often say that they saw a traditional patriarchal family of the times prior to the revolution. And they are not far from truth. Household chores are thoughtfully distributed in the priest's family: little kids, in the measure of their forces, take part in cooking, in taking care of the vegetable garden. Older ones manage the younger children and look after the elderly in the House of Mercy, girls and boys help their grandmother on the farm. In 2005 a heavy fire which burst out on the farm caused damages in the amount of One million roubles (36000 dollars). All children are schooled at the St. Sergius of Radonezh Orthodox Gymnasium located within the Cloister. All children attend Orthodox services in their home church named after St. Nicholas, where they sing themselves at orthodox ceremonies. Following graduation, graduates have the opportunity, if they so wish, to attend the Orenburg Diocesan Spiritual school, an educational institution also located at the Cloister. Naturally, not all of Father Nikolay's children will either be ordained or take monastic vows. For instance, on January 25, 2004 a most significant event occurred when the family's eldest son, Pavel, married. Father Nikolay strongly advised the newly-married couple to worship God before all else and to give birth to many children. "Only in such a way can we save Russia, the population of which is steadily decreasing." Father Nikolay and Matushka Galina firmly believe that their primary duty is to raise each child as a committed Orthodox Christian who will always strive to fulfill God's will whether in the Church or in the world. Patriotism is very strongly emphasized since Fr. Nikolay maintains that the love and devotion one holds for Russia is essential for the formation of a most excellent citizen. Before the 1917 revolution an often quoted motto ("For the Faith, for the Czar, and for the Motherland") beautifully described this sentiment. Since each Stremsky child is musically competent, the family is composed of a large, talented choir. The children participate in Orthodox Christian music concerts, sing in both orphanages and in homes for the elderly and give concerts in regional military registration and enlistment offices. And they frequently visit war veterans and the defenders of Russia. This is how old traditions are revived.
"True love stems only from a true family", - Father Nikolay says. He and Matushka Galina give their adopted children who became truly their own, everything that affectionately loving parents can manage to give. Due to financial support of donators the priest's children could go on pilgrimage to holy places in. They will never forget the benediction of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexis II.
Father Nikolay and Matushka Galina have opened whole worlds to their children - the spiritual world of the prayer, the world of travel and discovery, the world of love and friendship, briefly, everything that is called a world of happy childhood.
In 2005-07 the family celebrated a few more weddings. Father wished them, like Pavel a year earlier, to live with God in soul and to give birth to many children. He sees the success of education only in one realm - in the revival and strengthening of morals with the help of Christian Orthodox Church, in worshipping God, in Christian communication between parents and children. In this case a radiant future will be open for Russia!
With the exception of child allowances paid on an irregular basis, tutorial welfare payments, and the priest's salary, the Stremsky family has no other permanent source of financial assistance with which to adequately support so many children. Therefore, the family is unable to pay off accruing public utility bills, taxes, and other debts. To enable the Stremsky children to live dignified lives, to help provide necessary educational and developmental opportunities, philanthropists are urgently needed.
"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me" (Math. 25:40)
Our family is thankful to all the donators who have been assisting us in the solution of our problems. God bless all the philanthropists and grant the, many happy years!