The Uspenski Cathedral was consecrated on October 25th, 1868. According to the wishes of Alexander II, the Emperor of Russia, the cathedral was consecrated to the Dormition of the Mother of God (uspenie).

At the time of the construction of the Uspenski Cathedral, in the 19th century, Finland was an autonomic Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. The Orthodox Parish of Helsinki, founded in 1827, needed a larger church building for the growing orthodox population. The construction of the Uspenski Cathedral was funded mainly through donations from the parishioners and individual benefactors.

Architect A.M. Gornostajev designed the cathedral between 1859 and 1860, and initially led the construction work himself. After the death of Gornostajev in 1862, architect Ivan Varek was selected to continue Gornostajev’s work.

The design and construction of the Uspenski Cathedral took nine years. The bricks used in the construction were transported from the Bomarsund fortress in Åland, which was destroyed during the Crimean War.

The Uspenski Cathedral was consecrated on October 25th, 1868. According to the wishes of Alexander II, the Emperor of Russia, the cathedral was consecrated to the Dormition of the Mother of God (uspenie).