Itinerant preacher of the Jordan River, c.1st century BC – AD 30
The Taong Putik festival, honoring St. John the Baptist, has grown in participation since the 1800s, with thousands of devotees smeared in mud and wrapped in banana leaves before dawn processions to the church.
UNESCO has placed Sebastia in the West Bank and five Lebanese castles in Mount Amel on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger after an emergency review. Israel has opposed the move, citing threats to Jewish and Christian heritage and claiming Hezbollah activity at Beaufort Castle. Tyre is also listed as in danger.