Archbishop and Patriarch Elias Peter Hoayek (1843 – 1931) (alt. spellings Hoyek, Hwayek,Huayek, Juayek, Hawayek) (Arabic: الحويك‎); was born in Helta, Lebanon. He was Patriarch of Antioch for the Maronites, the largest Christian community in the Middle East from 1898 to 1931 when he died. He is hailed as the father of Lebanonism and the founder of the modern Lebanese state. The Lebanese people of all sects hailed his patriotism, followed his example and maintain it to this day. Hoayek is considered one of the four founders of Lebanon: Fakhr el Din II, Bashir II, Youssef Beik Karam and Patriarch Hoayek.