Our Clergy
HH. Pope Tawadros II
The Coptic Orthodox Church is the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church of God, established in Egypt by St. Mark the Apostle. St. Mark was the first Patriarch of Alexandria, followed by an unbroken chain of patriarchs presiding over the See of St. Mark. Today, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II presides over the Patriarchate, making him our 118th Pope.
HG. Bishop Youssef
His Grace Bishop Youssef entered the monastic life in 1994 and was ordained as a monk in 1995. He was then ordained into the priesthood in 2000 and was sent to Bolivia under the auspices of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope. In 2006, he was appointed Bishop of Bolivia. Currently, Bishop Youssef resides in Bolivia presiding over the Dominican Republic, and other regions, including Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. He is also the advisor for the Dioceses of Spain and Portugal.
Fr. Marcos Hanna
Father Marcos Hanna was ordained as a deacon in January 2024 in Bolivia by HG. Bishop Youssef.
In March 2024, Father Marcos was ordained as the first priest of St. Mary & St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Puerto Plata.
Our Parish
St. Mary and St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church is located in the city of Puerto Plata. It is the first Coptic Orthodox Church in the Dominican Republic. This project began in 2012 and was made possible by the grace of God, the continual support and prayers of His Grace Bishop Youssef and through the efforts and prayers of many. Many service trips have come to support the growth and services of this community. May the Lord reward them for all their efforts. On March 17 of 2024, His Grace Bishop Youssef ordained Fr. Marcos Hanna as the first priest for the church.
First Baptism
On January 8, 2025, the church welcomed its first 8 local parishioners who received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Communion on the same day.
