Morozova, Theodosia (d. 1675)

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Morozova, Theodosia (d. 1675)

Russian noblewoman. Name variations: Boyarina Feodosia Morozova. Born in Russia; died 1675 in Moscow; eldest dau. of Boyar Sokovnin; sister of Princess Eudocia Urusova; m. Gleb Morozov (died); sister-in-law of Boris Morozov (tutor to Alexis I); related by marriage to the empress, Maria Miloslavskaia; children: son.

Held an important position at court; became a devoted follower of Avvakum (1664); because of her newfound religious convictions, refused to attend the wedding of Tsar Alexis I to Natalya Narishkina (1671); was arrested as an Old Believer, interrogated and thrown in a Kremlin dungeon, because she was opposed to church reforms initiated by Patriarch Nikon; her sister was imprisoned as well; when Tsar Alexis I offered to release her if she'd agree not to proselytize, refused (1671); was put on an extreme regimen and died in a convent; considered a saintly woman by traditionalists. Subject of a famous painting by Vasily Surikov, where she is being led off to exile on a wooden sledge.