The village of Gorodnya is Batetsky district of Novgorod region, on the banks of the river Gorodenka (a tributary of the Black river), 5 km from the administrative district center – the village Batetsky. Gorodnya is famous for its long and interesting history, but it differs from other settlements by the presence of the beautiful Church, which stands on the hill – temple Demetrios.

In 1380, Prince Dmitry Donskoy was defeated in the battle of Kulikovo. Participated in the battle and the natives of the village of Gorodnya. Throughout Russia then began to appear the temples erected in honor of the patron Saint of the Russian army – Demetrios.

In the "Memorial book for the diocese of St. Petersburg", Dating back to 1899, contains information about the construction of the first temple in the name of the Holy GreatMartyr Demetrios on the History of the earth. This document tells that the Church was built of stone, built in 1826, "a dependent of the landowner E. I. Blajenkova". Also had a bell tower. In the temple there were 3 thrones: the main – in honor of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the second – in the name of the Holy virgin, and the third in honor of Saints Florus and Laurus.

In the beginning of XX century the original Church was much rebuilt, so in the "Catalogue of monuments of history and culture of Novgorod region" it dates back to the early twentieth century. The Church was built in pseudo-Russian style.

According to old people, the Church was big and amazingly beautiful. Legend tells that the temple bells in Velikiy Novgorod started ringing only when the bell will sound in the village of Gorodnya.

Demetrius Church had survived the formative years of the Soviet power and the Second World war. During the war years the Church belonged to the sixth Luga the deanery Leningrad diocese. Hard times for the Church came in the 1960-ies, History when the temple was destroyed, despite the appeal of the local residents not to close. From the Church the bells were removed, suffered Church utensils. Locals say that the people who took part in the desecration and looting of the Church suffered terrible punishment for their acts.

In 1986 the Church was composed of a passport. It was given its description. The condition of the Church at that time was characterized as abandoned, he quickly destroyed. North-West porch has been completely demolished and the South-West of the porch there is one of the pillars. With external and internal sides of the building there is a loss of masonry made of bricks. The roof leaks, the floor is missing, the furnace is destroyed.

In 1997 the Administration of the Novgorod region decided Demetrius Church in the village of Gorodnya to take to protection as a cultural heritage site. It was assigned to the newly created Batetsky the deanery Novgorod diocese.

In the beginning of XXI century the Church experienced a revival. Since 2003, funds private philanthropist started the restoration of the temple. In 2004 was consecrated one Church aisle. By 2007, the Church was completely restored.

Today, the whitewashed Church Demetrios, that moved its dome is in the heavens, blessed with incredible beauty and grandeur. Such magnificence is impressive. But for the residents of the village of Gorodnya, and all Batetskoy of the earth, the temple and the story of his miraculous recovery has become a symbol of revival and spiritual power of these places. In addition, now there are proposals to place the image of the Church on the arms of the Batetsky area.