The Transfiguration Cathedral, despite its youth, has gone through a complex path of development and has become the main architectural landmark of Abakan, winning the love of the townspeople.

In 1994, the administration of Abakan allocated a site for the construction of the cathedral. The project was developed by architect Krylov A. V. at the institute 'Abakangrazhdanproekt' under the guidance of chief engineer Usov A. V.

Construction began in 1999. The main sponsor was the Sayansk Aluminum Plant, and the contractor was LLC 'Stroyservice'. On May 27, 1999, Bishop Vikentiy of Abakan and Kyzyl consecrated and laid the first stone.

On August 19, 2001, on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the lower church was consecrated in honor of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia. On December 23, 2001, a minor consecration of the upper church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord took place, while the full consecration was postponed due to the unfinished iconostasis.

On August 19, 2005, on the 10th anniversary of the Abakan and Kyzyl Diocese, the great consecration of the upper church took place. A year later, on August 19, 2006, the main iconostasis with gilded carvings was consecrated.

In 2006, two side chapels appeared in the upper church: the left in honor of St. Innocent was consecrated on October 6, and the right in honor of the icon of the Mother of God 'Burning Bush' on October 26.

The cathedral is a classic seven-domed church with white walls. The upper church has two side chapels and a five-tiered iconostasis with gilded carvings. The lower church is intended for baptisms and is equipped with a baptistery. The domes are covered with metal with a titanium nitride coating. The bell tower has 12 bells, the largest weighing 5670 kg. The area of the cathedral is 1637 sq. m, the height of the bell tower is 49.2 m, and it can accommodate up to 1000 people.

The cathedral houses a reliquary with parts of holy relics, including a piece of the Lord's Cross and the relics of various saints. There are also icons of Siberian saints with parts of their relics and other holy items, such as a stone from Mount Tabor and icons consecrated on Mount Athos and in other holy places.