St. Nicholas day in the West Bank (10 images)

A Palestinian Christian girl cries as Elias Babish, wearing a St. Nicholas costume, holds her outside the Church of St. Nicholas in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, West Bank, on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, 2010. Tradition believes that St. Nicholas lived in the cave under the church from 312-315 AD. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Beit Jala and is believed to be it's defender and protector during wars and times of trouble. UPI/Debbie Hill

Greek Orthodox Christians pray in the grotto of the Church of St. Nicholas in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, West Bank, on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, 2010. Tradition believes that St. Nicholas lived in the cave under the church from 312-315 AD. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Beit Jala and is believed to be it's defender and protector during wars and times of trouble. UPI/Debbie Hill

A Palestinian Christian girl cries as Elias Babish, wearing a St. Nicholas costume, holds her outside the Church of St. Nicholas in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, West Bank, on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, 2010. Tradition believes that St. Nicholas lived in the cave under the church from 312-315 AD. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Beit Jala and is believed to be it's defender and protector during wars and times of trouble. UPI/Debbie Hill

A Palestinian Greek Orthodox Christian blows out candles in the Church of St. Nicholas in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, West Bank, on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, 2010. Tradition believes that St. Nicholas lived in the cave under the church from 312-315 AD. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Beit Jala and is believed to be it's defender and protector during wars and times of trouble. UPI/Debbie Hill