Goritsi

Goritsy is a tiny settlement in Vologda Oblast, in 7 kilometres from the famous Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. The Goritsky Monastery of Resurrection - a Russian Orthodox female convent- is situated here. It was established in 1544 by knyaginya (duchess) Euphrosinia Staritskaya. In 1563 she was accused of a plot (she wanted to enthrone her sone, Vladimir Staritsky)and was made a nun against her will. Ironically she was exiled to the monastery that she had found. Later, another plot was discovered and all the Staritsky family was murdered, the duchess was drowned in the Sheksna river by the order of Ivan the Terrible. Since then the Goritsky Monastery of Resurrection became a shelter of wifes and near relations of fallen into disgrace courtiers. In 1970s it became part of Kirillo-Belozersky museum-zapovednik of History, Art, and Architecture (based on the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery). Since 1990s a small community of nuns started to live in the convent.