The Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr, the main temple of the Patriarchal parishes in Italy of the Russian Orthodox Church, is located on the grounds of the Russian embassy complex, the Abamelek villa.

In the late 19th century, Archimandrite Clement (Vernikovsky), the rector of the Russian embassy church in Rome, initiated a fundraising campaign for the construction of the church. Among the donors were Nicholas II, grand dukes, manufacturers, and gold industry leaders. Since 1913, the collection of donations spread throughout Russia.

In 1915, a plot on the banks of the Tiber, near the Ponte Margherita, was purchased for the construction of the church in the name of the Russian embassy. The construction committee was headed by Prince Semyon Abamelek-Lazarev. By 1916, about 265,000 lire had been raised, allowing construction to begin. However, the events of 1917 in Russia hindered the project's realization.

Construction of the Orthodox church in Rome resumed after 80 years. A significant contribution to the creation of St. Catherine's Church was made by Metropolitan Cyril of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the future Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus.

The construction faced several difficulties. Architect Andrei Obolensky, who worked on the project pro bono, encountered misunderstandings from local authorities. To obtain permission for construction on the grounds of the Abamelek villa, it was necessary to change the laws of the Lazio region. There were also difficulties in fundraising, as the church was built on donations from individuals and companies.

Construction began on January 14, 2001, when Archbishop Innocent of Korsun consecrated the cornerstone in the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. The active phase of construction began in April 2005. Changes had to be made to the project, as the height of the church's domes exceeded that of St. Peter's Basilica. To comply with the laws, it was necessary to remove the hill on which the church stood.

On March 31, 2006, the domes and crosses of the church were consecrated. In May 2006, bells cast at the ZIL factory were installed on the bell tower. By May 2009, the construction of the church complex was completed. The consecration of the church took place on May 24, 2009, conducted by Metropolitan Valentin of Orenburg and Buzuluk. The ceremony was attended by Svetlana Medvedeva, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, Presidential Affairs Manager Vladimir Kozhin, Russian Ambassador to Italy Alexey Meshkov, and others.

St. Catherine's Church has become one of the attractions of Rome, attracting dozens of pilgrims and tourists daily. Cultural and educational events are held within its walls.

The church had a stavropegial status, subordinating directly to the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus, not being part of the Korsun diocese or the deanery of the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Italy, established in 2006.