The Coptic Church in Bolivia

In 1997, Fr. Aghathon Amba Boula heard of and began to visit a few Copts who were living in Bolivia. He continued to serve them for four years until they requested a permanent priest. His Holiness sent Fr. Youssef Amba Boula to serve them. Fr. Youssef had minor courses in Spanish prior to coming to Bolivia. He arrived December 14^th, 2000. Fr. Youssef started services in a rented flat located in a poor area. However, only one Copt remained in Bolivia. The other families returned to Egypt or immigrated to the U.S.A. He prayed his first Liturgy in the hall of his flat three days after his arrival. At this time, there weren’t any Liturgical books in Spanish but within 6 months, he translated it. He continued to pray in the hall for two years.

Fr. Youssef began teaching Coptic Hymns to children and youth in Coptic and Spanish. He arranged trips. He started to communicate regularly with many Bolivians. Frequently they asked him about his clothing, his beard and the cross he wears. When they knew that he was a Christian, they started to ask him about his beliefs and the Coptic Orthodox Church. He explained Orthodoxy and showed them the love of Christ. Fr. Youssef loved them and they loved him back. He spent time with them, listened to their problems, aided them to solutions and gave them spiritual advice. He started various spiritual and social services. They learned about the Coptic Church, embraced it and were baptised. Fr. Youssef performed the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, marriage and unction of the sick multiple times. He wrote a book about the Coptic Church in Spanish and published the Coptic Spanish Liturgy Book. With the guidance of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the help of Fr. Michael Edward priest of St. Mark Church in Cleveland and the determination of Fr. Youssef, the service continued to grow.

Santa Maria y San Marcos Church

By 2002, the Church was growing rapidly in numbers and services. Fr. Youssef looked for land to build a Church. He found a place with a large hall and play ground suitable for that purpose and purchased it. The media recognized the rapid growth of the church and invited Fr. Youssef for interviews in newspaper and on TV. Activities continuously increased for the congregation. These included teaching, cooking and crafts. In 2003, he brought more land and built an activity hall to be used for the various service.

Building the Church

In 2004, Fr. Youssef began construction of the new church as it currently stands today. Within nine months, the structure of the building was complete. Soon afterwards, Tasony Sawsan flew especially from Egypt to draw the Icons of the church. The Iconostasis was designed in traditional Coptic style by Bolivians.

On February 13^th 2006, H.H. Pope Shenouda III, accompanied by bishops and priests, visited Bolivia to consecrate Santa Maria y San Marcos Church. They was greeted with a warm welcome from the Bolivians. The event was live on the radio, televised within Bolivia, and documented in the local newspapers. The consecration was attended by many dignitaries including ecclesiastical and political members.

Ordination of H.G Bishop Youssef and arrival of the priests

His Holiness was continually impressed by Fr. Youssef’s hard work and various services. On June 11^th 2006, he ordained Fr. Youssef as Bishop of Bolivia. The following year in June, His Grace Bishop Youssef brought Fr. Hedra Anba Boula to service with him in Bolivia. Later, Brother Milad joined them and was ordained by His Grace on November 15^th 2009 as Father Anthony.