The Maronite Church will celebrate next July 31 "The Day of Martyrs of the Eastern Churches" in the context of the Year of Martyrdom and Martyrs" proclaimed by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai as a special theme for the memory of those who lose their lives because they bear the name of Christ.

The decision to dedicate the last month of July to the celebration of the martyrs of the Eastern Churches was confirmed on Friday, July 14, during the meeting between Lebanese President Michel Aoun and a Patriarchal Committee received by the Head of State at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, in Beirut. The members of the Patriarchal Committee, chaired by Mounir Khaïrallah, Bishop of Batrun, met President Aoun to officially invite him to the meeting scheduled for Sunday, July 30, at the summer patriarchal seat in Diman, on the occasion of the presentation of the Encyclopedia of Martyrs of the Eastern Churches, work of Father Elias Khalil.

The Year of Martyrdom and Martyrs, proclaimed by the Maronite Church, began on 9 February, the feast day of Saint Maron, and will end on 2 March 2018.