The Holy Nikolaev Women's Monastery was officially opened on May 22, 2018, in the village of Pokrovka, Novosergievsky District, Orenburg Region. The first archpastoral service took place in the 'Sacred Caves' of the region. The creation of the monastery was approved at a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The abbess of the monastery became nun Ioanna Boyarskaya, who presented icons of the monastery's patron to bishops Veniamin and Alexiy. The metropolitan expressed hope that another cathedral church might appear in the region next year. The opening concluded with a procession from the place of the Liturgy to the future church of the monastery, where a cross was consecrated.

The history of the Nikolsky Monastery begins in 1896 when the hermit Zakharij Kartsev settled on the banks of the Samara River near Pokrovka. He had a vision in which John of Kronstadt indicated a place for the construction of a men's monastery. During the work, Zakharij gained followers with whom he created an extensive underground network. Later, a brotherhood building with a refectory and chapel was constructed, and in 1909, the Holy Synod established the Nikolaev Skete. Four years later, it became an independent monastery. During the years of famine, the monastery supported the local population, having a rich economy. During World War I, a hospital for the wounded operated here. After the revolution, the monastery's property was nationalized, and in 1922, after the death of the abbot Zosima, the monks were expelled.

The revival of the Holy Caves began in 2002. In 2005, the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist was consecrated, and a new underground church in honor of Saints Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves opened in the caves. Crosses were erected at the site of the destroyed church, chapel, and monastery cemetery, a bell tower was built, and a well and chapel were consecrated.