Actor Batalov's brother Mikhail Ardov, a Russian writer and clergyman, has died.

Russian memoirist writer, brother of actor Alexei Batalov, clergyman Father Mikhail (in the world Mikhail Ardov) died at the age of 89. Philologist Nikolai Podosokorsky announced this on July 15.

"Father Mikhail (Mikhail Viktorovich Ardov), a Russian writer, publicist, memoirist, and clergyman, died at the age of 88. He is the half—brother of People's Artist of the USSR Alexei Vladimirovich Batalov," reads his message on the Telegram channel.

According to Podosokorsky, over the past six years, Father Mikhail has been staying in a private boarding house for the elderly. Information about the cause of death, as well as details about the farewell ceremony, has not yet been provided.

Mikhail Ardov was born on October 21, 1937 in Moscow into the family of writer Viktor Ardov, who specialized in satirical essays, and actress Nina Alshevskaya, known to the Russian audience for her paintings "I Will Return," "The Man Left Alone," and "Penniless."

In 1960, he graduated from the Faculty of Journalism of Lomonosov Moscow State University and has since become professionally interested in literature.

Four years after graduation, Ardov was baptized, and three years later he became a subdeacon at the Sorrowful Temple on Ordynka. In 1980, he was ordained a priest. At the same time, the clergyman publishes many manuscripts, including journalistic activities, being the author of the permanent column of the newspaper Metro.

Over the years, Father Mikhail has written such books as "The Little Things of the arch ..., proto ... and simply priestly life", "The Heart of the Tsar in the Hand of God: the moral image of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas" and "The Legendary Horde. Portraits". He is also the author of "Capital Truths", "Mother Hope and other non-fictional stories" and "Notes for the dungeon".