Russian priest and father of 18 children decorated with Orthodox order

Dean of Orthodox churches in Rostov-on-Don Archpriest Ioann Osyak is decorated with the order of Sts Peter and Fevronia of Murom, heavenly protectors of family. The 18th child has been recently born to his family. Now he has got ten daughters and eight sons, the Express-Gazeta has reported on Tuesday.

The priest's wife spent several days in the hospital to have her lungs artificially ventilated, but now her life is not endangered. Last year in Kremlin, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarded the Osyak family with the order of Parents Glory.

According to Fr. Ioann, his wife and he first planned to have two children, but now they are ready for the nineteenth baby. Archpriest Nikolay Stremsky, Rector of the Holy Trinity Convent of Mercy in Saraktash village, brings up seventy children and his family is considered the biggest in Russia. He was earlier given St. Andrew the First-Called international prize For Faith and Devotion.

The country's renowned religious leader Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar also has one of the biggest families: now his wife Hanna and he have got twelve children.

Source: Interfax religion