The cathedral was transformed from an ancient Turkish mosque in 1794 at the request of the garrison of the Ochakov fortress and the Orthodox residents of the city. In 1906-1907, the cathedral was rebuilt again and acquired a completely Christian appearance. It accommodates up to 300 worshippers, and the altar is dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The bell tower is connected to the church.

Among the cathedral's attractions are the cross and the Gospel, created by the efforts of soldiers who achieved victory under the command of General A.V. Suvorov during the capture of Kinburg on October 1, 1787. The cathedral also houses a golden cross, established in memory of the storming and capture of Ochakov on December 6, 1788, by Prince Potemkin-Tavrichesky. This cross, as a specimen, was kept for 100 years in the Main Headquarters and was then transferred to the Ochakov fortress cathedral by order of Emperor Alexander III in honor of the centenary of the capture of Ochakov. The cathedral also contains a large altar icon of the Savior, which was pierced by a bomb fragment on October 4, 1855, but the image remained untouched. A wooden image of the bomb has been inserted at the site of the hole. Additionally, the cathedral has two tin chalices and a star from the former Ochakov Greek church.

From the moment of its consecration until 1826, the cathedral was under the jurisdiction of the Diocesan authorities, then until 1864 it was managed by the Chief Priest of the Army and Navy, after which it returned to the Diocesan office and remained there until 1890, when it was handed over to the jurisdiction of the Protopresbyter of military and naval clergy. Near the cathedral stands a monument to A.V. Suvorov, unveiled in 1907, as well as a brotherly grave of heroes who fell during the capture of the Ochakov fortress. There is a priest and a psalmist serving at the cathedral.

On the reverse sides of the cross and the Gospel are engraved inscriptions dedicated to the victory of Russian troops at Kinburg on October 1, 1787. These relics were originally located in the Kinburg Protection Church, where Suvorov prayed before the battle. After the capture of Kinburg on October 4, 1855, by Anglo-French troops, they were stolen and taken to Constantinople, but after the peace treaty, they were returned to the Odessa Cathedral. In 1863, at the request of the Chief Priest of the Army and Navy, the Holy Synod ordered the cross and the Gospel to be transferred to the Ochakov fortress cathedral.

The rector of the cathedral, Archpriest O. Gavriil Sudkovsky, showed courage during the defense of the Ochakov coastal battery on September 22, 1854. He arrived at the battery with the Holy Cross and, under enemy fire, inspired the artillerymen, helping to load the guns. For this, the Emperor awarded him a golden cross on the George ribbon on November 24, 1854.