Nikitnikov Lane in Moscow, one of the shortest, practically devoid of buildings, serves as a passage between large structures. Its fame is linked to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Nikitniki, an image of which can be found in architecture textbooks. Outstanding masters of their time worked on its facades and interiors.

The name of the lane and the church is associated with merchant Grigory Leontievich Nikitnikov, who moved to Moscow from Yaroslavl. He began the construction of a stone church of the Holy Trinity in 1628 on the site of a burned wooden church of St. Nikita the Great Martyr. Construction was repeatedly interrupted, but by 1651 the church acquired its current appearance, while the interior finishing continued later. It is believed that in the 1650s it was painted by the best royal painters, including Simon Ushakov, who had a workshop here. Nikitnikov also created a family chapel with a burial vault in the southern aisle of St. Nikita, where he was buried. The church was connected to his house, and the church basement was used as a storage.

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Nikitniki had a significant influence on Moscow church architecture in the second half of the 17th century. Its decorative elements, such as the five-domed structure with kokoshniks and the tented bell tower, became a model for other churches. Special attention is drawn to the window on the southern facade with carvings of parrots. It is believed that Nikitnikov hired royal masters for the construction and finishing of the church, and the iconostasis was created in the Armory Chamber of the Kremlin. The church also features elements characteristic of Yaroslavl churches.

In addition to the main Trinity altar and the aisle of St. Nikita, the church had an aisle of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, created by the descendants of Grigory Nikitnikov, and an aisle of St. John the Theologian under the bell tower.

The church has been well preserved, with the 1812 fire hardly affecting it. It is also known as the church in honor of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God, which was considered miraculous. In 1904, an aisle of the same name was created.

In 1871, the Moscow Archaeological Society prevented the demolition of the church for the construction of business buildings. Although in 1901 a complex called 'Boyarsky Dvor' appeared nearby, the temple remained untouched.

In 1917, the church was damaged, and in 1920 it was closed. Restoration took place from 1924 to 1930. In 1934, the building was transferred to the State Historical Museum, and from 1935 to 1940, the original paintings were revealed. Since 1968, the church has been open to visitors, and in 1991 it was returned to the faithful.

The architectural appearance of the temple has hardly changed, and its spatial-planning structure has been preserved. The interior retains carved white stone portals, iron doors, and wooden choir stalls from the 17th century.

Since 2010, after restoration, services have resumed in the main church.