Ascension monastery – Orthodox monastery located in the city of Irkutsk. For several centuries this monastery was among the most significant and largest religious buildings in Russia.

The monastery was founded by elder Gerasim almost immediately after the creation of the Irkutsk Ostrog, four miles from it, among the dense forests on the opposite Bank of the river Angara. In 1669 Gerasim provided Yenisei Governor petition on the allocation of land for the construction of the monastery.

The first monastery was built a wooden Church of the ascension with Odigitrievsky the chapel. At the time, were also arranged cells and the enclosure. In 1679 a fire destroyed all of the monastery buildings. After a while the elder Isaiah resumed the monastery. In 1686 was again built a wooden Church of the ascension temple in 1688 - a wooden Church in honor of the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God.

At the beginning of the first half of the XVIII century in the possession of the monastery was a significant amount of land and forests and a salt factory. From 1727, 1731, lived in the monastery Innokenty of Irkutsk, until his death. In February 1805 the relics of St. innocent of Irkutsk were placed in the Annunciation Cathedral. Since 1883, the monastery is called the monastery of the ascension of St. innocent.

In June 1783 the monastery there was a large fire, which burned all the cells. Unharmed were only Tikhvin Church. The monastery began to be rebuilt, only this time the wooden structure was replaced with stone. With 1767 in 1809 built the Dean's building one-story, three stone churches and a chapel over the tomb of the conqueror of Gerasim.

In 1809 he completed construction of a third Church in the monastery, which was dedicated to the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God, in 1823 - fourth of the Church above the main West gate of the monastery, consecrated in honor of the presentation of the Lord. Fifth Church was built in 1783 on the site of the wooden Church of the Dormition.

In 1919, was located in the monastery of Irkutsk consolidated hospital. In early 1921 the relics of St. innocent was sent to the Museum of Yaroslavl. By early 1933, all the churches except the Church of the assumption were demolished. To date, of the monastic buildings are preserved: assumption Church with a refectory, a stone and wood service, two stone communal housing, school, kitchen, sacristy and a hotel for pilgrims.