In 1689, the wooden church of the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos was dismantled, and construction began on the first stone cathedral in honor of the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos, with an altar dedicated to St. Pafnuty of Borovsk.

By the mid-18th century, the church fell into disrepair, and in 1750 it was dismantled to build a new one, also dedicated to the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos. It had altars: on the southern side, to St. Pafnuty of Borovsk, and on the northern side, to St. Theodore Stratilates.

Initially, the altar of Pafnuty was completed and consecrated in 1759. However, the interior finishing of the cathedral took longer, and the main altar along with the altar in honor of St. Theodore Stratilates was consecrated only in 1771.

With the monastery's prosperity in the 19th century, the Vvedensky Cathedral became cramped for the increasing number of brethren and pilgrims. In 1837, the church was expanded by adding two altars. A new altar in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker appeared on the southern side, while the previous altar in honor of St. Pafnuty of Borovsk was moved to the new northern altar. The altar of St. Theodore Stratilates was relocated to Kazan.

In 1870, after the entire church was painted, the main and side altars were consecrated again. After the revolution, the cathedral of the monastery was closed. The revival of the monastery began in 1987. In 1988, the main altar in honor of the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos and the southern altar in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were consecrated. The northern altar of the cathedral was consecrated on April 9, 1989, in honor of the newly glorified servant of God, St. Ambrose, Elder of Optina.

The relics of the holy elders of Optina, Ambrose and Nectarios, rest in the church and are open for veneration. The icon painters of the monastery continue to decorate the cathedral, and in 2010, they completed the painting of the altar of the altar in honor of St. Ambrose of Optina.