In Orenburg, a court confirmed that a priest raising 70 children is accused of rape

The Leninsky District Court of Orenburg confirmed that the arrested priest Nikolai Stremsky is accused of rape and indecent acts against minors, as well as failure to fulfill educational duties. This was reported by the press service of the court.

The rector of the Holy Trinity Simeon Convent of Mercy, Nikolai Stremsky, was detained on September 23. Two days later, the court sent him to pre-trial detention until November 12. The priest’s adult daughter and her husband were arrested for the same term and charged under the article “Illegal deprivation of liberty.” According to local media, seven minors are victims in the case.

Metropolitan Veniamin of Orenburg and Saraktash stated that the diocese is aware of the detention of the rector. According to him, “Father Nikolai is a specific person, you can expect anything from him.”

Since 1992, Stremsky and his wife Galina have been raising 70 adopted children from orphanages in different regions of Russia. The Stremsky family is the largest large family in Russia. 25 children out of 70 bear his last name, the rest are under his care. The spouses have no children.

In 2015, a criminal case was opened against Stremsky for driving while intoxicated. During the investigation, he was removed from service; a few months later, the case was closed and Stremsky was returned to service at the Holy Trinity Monastery.