DIMAN, Lebanon — The Syriac Maronite Church on Saturday celebrated the beatification of Patriarch Elias Howayek (1843–1931), following Pope Leo XIV's decree recognizing one of modern Lebanon's foremost religious and national figures and a principal architect of the State of Greater Lebanon. The solemn celebration, held on 25 July at the Patriarchal See in Diman, followed the Holy See's announcement of Howayek's beatification on 22 May.