The Dormition Cathedral is an important landmark of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Reserve.

Also, several legends exist related to construction of the church, particularly one connected with a Varangian warrior Šimon (Shimon).

Built in the 11th century, the main church of the monastery was destroyed during the World War II, a couple of months after the Nazi Germany troops occupied the city of Kyiv, during which the Soviet Union conducted the controversial 1941 Khreshchatyk explosions.

[5] The destruction of the cathedral followed a pattern of Soviet disregard for cultural heritage, as they previously blew up the ancient St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery nearby in the 1930s.

[6] In 1928, the monastery was converted into an anti-religious museum park by the Soviet authorities and after their return no efforts were provided to restore the church.