Father Mousa B. Elgohary of St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church

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NATICK – Father Mousa B. Elgohary, beloved priest, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, fell asleep in the Lord at his home in Natick on the evening of November 5, 2021, surrounded by family, friends, and loving parishioners.

Born on March 5, 1935 in El Minya (Upper Egypt) to a church-going Coptic Orthodox family, he grew up nurtured by the faith he would come to devote his life to.

He completed his medical degree and specialty in otolaryngology at the Cairo University Faculty of Medicine in 1963, where he met his future wife, the late Etedal “Adeela” Garas (d. 2014, affectionately known to all as “Mama”).

He served Sunday School throughout his youth and early adulthood, regularly attending and serving in the parish of St. Mark in Giza, and serving as a physician to many in the church.

Ordained a priest at the hands of His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III on May 23, 1980, he served as a parish priest at St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in El Manial (Cairo).

Ten years later, he was elected by Pope Shenouda III to serve the diaspora Coptic community in the United States, and sent to St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Natick, whose parishioners welcomed him with open arms and open hearts as their first permanent priest in December of 1990.

In his service in the United States, Fr. Mousa was an active priest who led the community in a spirit of faith, service, holiness, a playful sense of humor, and above all else, unity. It was through his love for the church that the Coptic community grew from a few dozen families in the early 1990s to thousands of families all over New England today in over nine different parishes. His service was marked by a focus on prayer, cultivating a deep relationship with God and the saints, and ministry to families and youth. Along with Mama Adeela, his heart and home were wide open till his last breath to all who wanted a word of comfort, guidance, wisdom, and prayer, or just a delicious home cooked Egyptian meal.

Toward his last years, Fr. Mousa was diagnosed with dementia and metastatic prostate cancer, which would ultimately take a toll on his health. He is survived by his daughter Amani (Ashraf), grandchildren Mark (Lisa) and Michael Henry, great grandchildren Demiana and Philip Henry, brother Ayad (Nahed), and sister, Mother Basilia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Boctor Elgohary and Farouza Boulos, wife Etedal “Mama Adeela” Garas, brothers Father Mattias, George, Kirrillos, and Edward, and sisters Elaine and Marie.

Two wakes will be held at St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church, 145 Oak St., Natick, MA: Thursday, November 11th from 5-8pm, and Friday, November 12th from 3-10pm.

The funeral service will be held at the same location on Saturday, November 13, beginning at 10 a.m. preceded by Divine Liturgy from 6 to 9 a.m.

Burial will follow at St. Lazarus Cemetery in Charlton.

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