OREANDA-NEWS. On 24 December 2008 was announced, that in 28 orphanages of Ukraine St. Nicholas Marathon started. The marathon is held by the largest Ukrainian insurance market company "Oranta" that declared its business socially responsible. The company regional directorates will arrange an unforgettable holiday of "wonders" for children devoid of parental care and warmth - each orphan will visit a New Year performance in the children's theatre of their region. Apart from traditional confectionery the babies will get necessary presents (based on what each orphanage needs): from warm outerwear to New Year decorations.

A legend of Saint Nicolas is really remarkable. Long along ago in the town of Myra (in the south-west of Asia Minor) there lived a young man named Nicholas. He was the only son of well-off parents but was prematurely orphaned. Nicholas lived a reclusive life deeply engrossed in the world of scholarship and hardly ever went out.

Once upon a time an old servant told the young man that a poor girl who lived in the suburb cannot marry a rich man as she has no dowry. "I have all I want and somewhere nearby there are people left in misery", Nicholas thought. Little by little he devised a plan. He took a necessary amount out of the treasury and under the cover of night sneaked into the girl's house to slip a bundle of money into her window.

In the morning there went around a rumour that a heavenly angel descended from the sky and helped the lovebirds. For the first time in his lifetime Nicholas felt happy.

Nicholas did a lot of good things for the townsfolk remaining anonymous and confusing the entire town. He would secretly bring toys and warm clothes for children, medicine for the sick into their homes. Once upon a time at night eople finally tracked Nicholas down. They did not expect the reserved and shy young man to be so kind-hearted. Then the townspeople elected him their bishop.

Saint Nicholas has been descending to the earth and bringing gifts to children every year ever after.

NASK  Oranta  does not claim to be legendary. The company just tries to help children in need. We often hold various events in orphanages for the children to feel needed, noticed and happy", stated NASK  Oranta  Review Board Chairman, IMG Holding President Oleh Spilka.