Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -43
Rev. Dr. George Panicker
Rev. Dr. George Panicker, a prominent educator, theologian, lecturer, and writer, was born on March 31, 1924, in Karichal village (Harippad) in Karthikappally Taluk. He hails from the Mavelikkara Panicker family. His parents were primary school teachers. After George’s birth, his mother left her job. As the eldest son, he was named George Panicker. The founder of the Reformed Church, Mar Ivanios, also shared the name George Panicker. Both he and his family belonged to the Mavelikkara Panicker lineage. His parents were members of the Orthodox Syrian Church.
He completed his primary education in Karichal and his high school education in Karuvatta. Upon expressing his desire to become a priest, his parents initially suggested he join the Orthodox Syrian Church. However, George Panicker was more interested in becoming a priest in the Malankara Catholic Church founded by Mar Ivanios, which was initially met with resistance from his parents but was later accepted. George Panicker visited Mar Ivanios in Trivandrum, explained his intentions, and was subsequently accepted into the Catholic Church and allowed to join St. Aloysius Minor Seminary for his studies. He studied at the minor seminary from 1940 to 1942. In 1942, he was sent to the Papal Seminary in Lonere for advanced studies. He obtained an L.P.H. degree in Philosophy and an L.T.H. degree in Theology.
He was ordained a priest on August 24, 1949. Upon returning to Trivandrum in December 1950, he was advised to pursue a B.A. Honors in English Literature at University College while working in the church. He obtained his B.A. Honors degree in 1953 and was subsequently appointed as a teacher and hostel warden at Mar Ivanios College. When Mar Ivanios passed away in 1953, his successor, Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios Thirumeni, sent George Panicker to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to pursue a doctorate in English Literature. Thirumeni took him along during his American visit, admitted him to the university, and he earned his doctorate from 1955 to 1959.
Upon his return to Trivandrum in 1959, George Panicker was appointed Vice-Principal, English Professor, and Hostel Warden at Mar Ivanios College. When Monsignor Francis Kalasseri, who was the Principal of Mar Ivanios College, moved to S.B. College in Changanassery in 1961, Fr. George Panicker was appointed as the Principal. He served as Principal from 1961 to 1979. During his tenure, Mar Ivanios College saw the introduction of postgraduate degrees and research programs for some subjects. The college maintained high standards in academics, extracurricular activities, and sports during this period.
Rev. Dr. George Panicker retired voluntarily from the college in 1979, having taken early retirement five years prior.
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