The caves of the Gethsemane skete were founded on the initiative of Metropolitan Philaret around 1848 and officially established in 1851. They are located on the opposite bank of the pond, where cells were built since 1845, and from 1847, the fool-for-Christ Philipushka dug the caves. Initially, it was a small monastery, but in the second half of the 19th century, it experienced an economic upturn, allowing for significant reconstruction. The territory was expanded, the buildings were completely updated, and it took on a larger scale. The relocation of the Holy Gates and bell tower from the southern to the eastern boundary of the site changed the external spatial connections of the complex, which now oriented towards the road to Alexandrov rather than the Gethsemane skete. The skete became known for its miraculous icon and elders, especially the venerable Varna.

The architecture of the monastery in the 'Russian' style demonstrates the gradual evolution of this artistic direction. The traditional layout and volumetric structure are emphasized by the expressive silhouette of the church, rising above the walls, and the majestic bell tower, visible from afar. The skete was closed in 1921 and transferred to the Kalyaev children's colony, later used as a boarding house. Since 1990, it has been returned to the faithful and now houses the Chernigov Men's Skete of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.