St. John's Monastery, which was founded by the righteous Father John, is a well-known and revered place by the residents of St. Petersburg. Even at a time when Russia was under communist oppression, merciless anti-religious activities were conducted and the millstones of wild propaganda were spinning, the monastery faithfully served to save human shower.

The foundation of the future monastery was laid in 1900. At first, Father John wanted to build a small temple, but the huge amount donated for the construction by the honorable city dwellers was enough to build a large, majestic and beautiful building. The project was designed by the famous Russian diocesan architect Nikolai Nikonov. The plot of land on which the church now stands was donated by Semyon Ramensky, an honorary citizen of St. Petersburg. Anna Semenovna Sergeeva, the spiritual daughter of Father John, watched the construction work, which lasted for two years.

The Ioannovsky Monastery opened its doors to its parishioners in 1902. The first thing Father John hurried to do was to ask Metropolitan Anthony of St. Petersburg to allow the new church to be named the St. Petersburg Convent of the Twelve Apostles. However, Anthony was inclined to another option - he proposed to name the monastery in honor of St. John Rylsky. Father John had no choice but to agree.

By appointing Matushka Angelina (in the world Anna Sergeeva) as the abbess of the monastery, Father John blessed the holy monastery for a long service to the faithful living in St. Petersburg and its environs. Very little time passed, and the Ioannovsky Monastery became known as the second largest women's monastery in Northern Palmyra. Father John himself only periodically visited the monastery, but he often told all his associates that he really liked to relax on the territory of the monastery. Fr. John's private quarters were located on the second floor of the church.

With the advent of Soviet power, the monastery began to function only partially: most of the building was converted into a labor artel, and the clergy were prosecuted for religious activity. Only after the collapse of the Soviet Union, at the end of the 20th century, services were resumed in the Ioannovsky Monastery.