The Church of the Purification in Vilnius, built in the first half of the 14th century, was inspired by the architecture of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Its construction was initiated by the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Olgerd. Throughout its history, the church has suffered from fires multiple times, and after the fire in 1748, it was abandoned. Later, the building was transferred to Vilnius University, where it housed an anatomical theater, classrooms, a veterinary clinic, and a library. After the university closed in 1831, the building became a shelter for the poor, and a forge operated in the altar area.

In 1864, at the initiative of Governor-General Mikhail Muravyov, a nationwide fundraising campaign began for the restoration of the church, which was entrusted to architects Alexander Rezano and Nikolai Chagin. The temple features a unique five-tiered iconostasis created based on a sketch by academician Ivan Trutnev. Additionally, the church contains two four-tiered iconostases and about 70 icons. The main relics of the temple include a shrine with the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, gifted by Emperor Alexander II, as well as the locally revered miraculous Iberian Icon of the Mother of God.