Zaiconospassky monastery (Spassky behind icon next) is in the center of Moscow, Nikolskaya street, in China town. The monastery was founded in 1600 by Boris Godunov. The name of the monastery was due to its location behind the shops selling icons.

Stone Cathedral of the icon of the image of Edessa, the monastery was founded in 1660, under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Money for construction was donated by the Governor – Prince F. F. Volkonsky.

After the destruction during the fire, the monastery was repeatedly rebuilt. The buildings and temples of the monastery was rebuilt by the architect Dammed (Baroque), as well as by the architects of the Transfiguration, Ivanova and Michurin.

In 1630-ies in the monastery there was a National school. In her first time in Russia, began to teach Latin and Greek. Supervised the training Arseniy Greek. In 1667, when the monastery had established a school, and then transformed it in College, preparing minor clerks of the order of secret Affairs. In 1687, in the monastery moved the Slavonic-Greek-Latin Academy. It was headed by major Greek theologians brothers hieromonk Sophrony and greeted Lihoudi. Students of the Academy were famous for later people. Among them was Mikhail Lomonosov.

In 1825, has designed a new assumption Cathedral (architect - P. S. Obitel).

In Soviet times (in 1929) the monastery was closed.

New story Zaikonospassky of the monastery began in 1992. In the Cathedral Church of the Saviour began services. He was awarded the status of "Patriarchal Podvorye". In 2010, the Holy Synod took the decision to open Zaikonospassky Stavropegial monastery in Kitai-Gorod in Moscow. The monastery was isolated from the Patriarchal metochion. The Abbot of the monastery was appointed hegumen Peter.

Currently, many of the premises of the monastery is occupied not by Church institutions. Part of the premises occupied by Institute for history and archives of RSUH, the Godunov restaurant, post office and some other tenants.