It is the largest of the six cathedrals of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia,[1] which has over 400 parishes worldwide, and the cathedra of the Diocese of San Francisco and Western America.

The original San Francisco parish of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia was founded on June 2, 1927.

[3][4] The current cathedral at 6219 Geary Boulevard in the Richmond District was founded by St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, born Mikhail Maximovitch.

[7] The cathedral was designed by Oleg N. Ivanitsky, and features five onion domes covered in 24 carat gold leaf.

The cathedral operates a K–12 school, the Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, as well as a bookstore and housing for senior citizens.