The main church of the Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. The history of the cathedral begins in 1633-1642, when it was built and served as the temple of the Catholic Bernadine monastery.
It carries a great history and iconostasis with a number of fine icons by masters of the Moscow academic school. The miracle-working icon among them is the icon of Our Lady of Minsk.
It is regarded as the patron of Minsk. It is not by chance that the Minsk coat of arms bears the image of the Mother of God. The miracle-working icon is kept in the left nave of the Cathedral.
The shrine of the temple are the incorruptible relics of St. Sophia, granddaughter of Anastasia Slutsk. Her imperishable relics can be seen in the side niche to the left of the altar.