Goritsy

It is a place of exile for women this Goritsy, a tiny settlement south of the White Lake and on it is what remains of the Nunnery of the Resurrection on the banks of the Sheksna River. During the Time of Troubles, Boris Gudunov sends his daughter Xenia here for protection.

The Tzarina Euphrosyne (also known as Eudoxia spouse of Prince Andrew, Ivan II's son) accused of plotting against the Tzar is exiled here. She brings her needlewomen with her and they sew up a storm.

There is a holy spring on the site and I collect water from it.

One man, a carpenter, is singlehandedly constructing a church for the nuns of the convent. He has completed the building, finished carving the altar screen and on the day I visit here, he is preparing to paint the icons. A labor of love.