Children from across Ukraine are flocking to the western village of Pistyn... by the thousands.
They're visiting St. Nicholas -- the Orthodox version of Santa Claus -- at his residence ahead of Christmas.
The Orthodox Saint is the guardian of children, soldiers, and travelers ... perhaps the best Saint to pray to this winter season, as the country tries to pull itself out of a protracted conflict with separatists in the east.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) ST. NICHOLAS, SAYING:
"Even children who are from here, from western regions, from central Ukraine say: 'St. Nicholas, we don't need presents, bring presents to those children who live in the east. Parents will buy us presents, so we will be fine. Pray for us, for Ukraine, for our soldiers.'"
This year, some families in the west are choosing the Orthodox Saint over a similar, Soviet-era figure -- Father Frost.
Perhaps to move away from neighboring Russia, which the west blames for supporting Ukraine's reb
