In 1874, Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin), who led the Russian Spiritual Mission, purchased a plot of land in Jericho where, according to tradition, the house of Saint Zacchaeus was located. In 1891, during excavations at this site, the tomb of Abbot Kyriakos was found.

To preserve this place, a church was built in honor of Saint Zacchaeus. On the grounds of the monastery, named after Saint John the Baptist, a house for priests and pilgrims was also erected, along with several utility buildings. Services are still held in the church today, and pilgrims can stay in the complex.

The Russian Spiritual Mission or the John the Baptist Monastery in Jericho is an Orthodox monastery covering about one and a half hectares, located at the site where, according to tradition, the house of Zacchaeus stood.

The territory of the monastery was acquired by the Russian Spiritual Mission in the 1870s, and now this picturesque area features a small church, several utility and residential buildings.

Excavations continue on the monastery grounds, during which many monuments and artifacts from the Byzantine era have been discovered, such as mosaics with Greek symbols and 6th-century columns. The monastery is open for visits, including for tourists.