Benjamin's Courtyard of the I.P.P.O. in Jerusalem is named after its founder, Abbot Benjamin, who was one of the prominent figures of Russian Palestine. Little is known about his biography: neither his surname nor his secular name could be determined. However, documents related to the history of the courtyard are kept in the R.I.P.P.O. fund of the Archive of Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire. Important ones are published in the first volume of the two-volume work "Russia in the Holy Land." The library of the Palestinian Society also has a notebook with letters to Benjamin, copied in the early 1890s. Among the authors of the letters are notable figures such as Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna and surgeon N.I. Pirogov. These letters, accompanied by Benjamin's comments, are of interest for studying the history of Russian Palestine.

Benjamin, of Moldovan origin, took monastic vows on Mount Athos in 1840. In 1846, he first visited Jerusalem and served in a Greek monastery, conducting services for Russian pilgrims. During the Crimean War, he was sent to Sevastopol as a chaplain for the Cross Exaltation community of nursing sisters. For his service in the war, Benjamin was awarded a medal and an order. After the war, he had the idea to create a shelter for mercy in the Holy Land.

In 1856, Benjamin attended the coronation of Alexander II and discussed Palestine with the emperor and empress. Although he was not included in the new mission to Jerusalem, at the request of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, he became a hieromonk in St. Petersburg. In 1857, Benjamin returned to Jerusalem and was accepted into the Russian Spiritual Mission in 1860. In 1870, he again became a member of the mission.

During the Russo-Turkish War, Benjamin remained in Jerusalem due to his status. In 1887, he purchased a house in Jerusalem and established a shelter for women of three faiths. However, the idea of a Christian shelter did not develop. In 1889, the courtyard became a place for Russian female pilgrims. In 1891, Benjamin transferred ownership rights to the Palestinian Society, retaining management.

Benjamin's Courtyard consisted of a manor with wings and cisterns. In 1892, new gates to the courtyard were opened. In 1893, a new building was constructed. Benjamin donated funds for the improvement of the I.P.P.O. seminary. In 1894, he was elevated to the rank of abbot.

Abbot Benjamin died in 1897 and was buried in the Orthodox cemetery on Mount Zion. After his death, the courtyard was re-registered in the name of Grand Duke Sergey Alexandrovich. The courtyard provided shelter for female pilgrims wishing to stay in Jerusalem. In 1964, the courtyard was sold to Israelis.

After 1917, when Palestine came under British administration, Russian property was used by the English in their own way. Various institutions, including a court and a prison, were located in the buildings of the former courtyards.