On Thursday, the 7th/19th of March 2015, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem bestowed the rank of Archimandrite on the following Hagiotaphite hieromonks: Leontios, Hegoumen of the Community of Rafidia; Paisios, Hegoumen at the Monastery of the Prophet Elias; Makarios, Hegoumen at the Monastery of St Nicodemus of the Lentils, and Thaddaeus, serving at the Church of the Resurrection.
Upon conferring the specific rank upon the aforementioned Hagiotaphites, His Beatitude said that it is fair and proper, in view of His Name-Day, that He should bestow this promotion on those Hieromonks who, during the years of their diaconate, have demonstrated humility, patience, obedience and fruitfulness, advising them to wear and honour the Cross as the Christians’ prize and weapon against any opposite power.
The promoted brothers thanked His Beatitude for this distinction and pledged to put their officium to the service of Christ, the Church and the Holy Shrines.