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removed Category:Indian Eastern Catholics using HotCat

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{{short description|Indian Catholic priest (1924-2008)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| honorific_prefix = Rev. Dr.
| name = Geevarghese Panicker
| image =

| caption =
| birth_name = C. T. Geevarghese Panicker
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1924|4|1}}
| birth_place = Karichal, [[Alappuzha, Kerala]]
| ordination = 24 August 1949 by [[Geevarghese Mar Ivanios]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2008|12|28|1924|4|1}}
| tomb = St.George's Malankara Catholic Church, Paranthal
| death_place = [[Perzhumpuzha]], [[Kollam, Kerala]]
}}
'''Geevarghese Panicker''' (1924-2008) was a priest, teacher, guide and [[educationalist]] of [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]].

== Early life ==

Panicker was born on 1 April 1924 at Karichal, [[Alappuzha]] as the eldest son to K. G. Thomas Panicker (Kezhakeveetil) and Achiyamma Thomas Panicker (Kaithayil-Kallupara), also he was the eldest of seven children.

He is the grand Nephew of the Archbishop [[Geevarghese Mar Ivanios]], the founder of [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] and who is also known as the 'Newman of India'.

== Education ==

Panicker had his primary education at Vazhathattu Primary School, Karichal, [[Alappuzha]] and middle school at St. James English Middle School, Karuvatta, Alappuzha. He completed his High school final under the guidance of [[Kainikkara Kumara Pillai]] at N.S.S. English High School, Karuvatta, Alappuzha.

After school education, he joined [[St. Aloysius Seminary, Trivandrum]] on his own volition under the guidance of Archbishop [[Geevarghese Mar Ivanios]] in 1940.

Panicker was not a common place individual. He received his B.A. honours in English Language and Literature from [[University of Travancore]], [[Trivandrum]]. His academic qualifications include the master's degree in both Philosophy and Theology from the [[Papal Seminary]], [[Kandy]], [[Ceylon]] where he underwent training for priesthood.

He was ordained a priest on 24 August 1949 by Archbishop [[Geevarghese Mar Ivanios]] at [[Papal Seminary]], [[Kandy]], [[Ceylon]].

He received his [[Doctorate]] in [[English Literature]] at [[Catholic University of America]], [[Washington, D.C.]], United States in 1958.

== Educationalist ==

Panicker possessed great wisdom and extraordinary vision. He was an educator par excellence. He started his teaching career as a lecturer at [[Mar Ivanios College]], [[Trivandrum]].

Thousands of young men and women who had their undergraduate, graduate or post graduate education in the [[Mar Ivanios College]] at Trivandrum during his 20 years as Vice Principal and Principal (1961-to 1979) of that reputed institution, nurture in their hearts, deep and sincere appreciation, respect and affection for him.
Many of his students are prominent people in the society to name a few late minister of education- Mr. T.M. Jacob, political leaders like K. Muraleedharan, Cine Artist Mr.Jagathi Sreekumar, Mr.Jagadish, former Kerala State Principal Secretary Mr Jaya Kumar IAS, Mr. Alexander Jacob IPS etc.

It was noted as the 'Golden years of [[Mar Ivanios College]]' by the Late [[Education Minister of Kerala]], [[C. H. Mohammed Koya]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}
Fr.Panicker also held many positions in the Senate and Syndicate of the [[University of Kerala]]. He also headed the Princpals of Catholic College council at the [[University of Kerala]].

== Seminary rector ==

After his retirement from the college, Panicker was appointed by the Bishops’ Council of Kerala as Rector and President of St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, [[Aluva]], which before its bifurcation had a student strength of more than 700 clerics, like [[St Patrick's College, Maynooth]], [[Ireland]] decades ago.

Panicker’s tenure as Rector was for two consecutive terms of three years each (1979-1985). Thus, thousands of priests of the [[Roman Catholic]], [[Syro-Malabar]] and [[Syro-Malankara]] Churches of Kerala have had the benefit of the guidance of this man of God.
Many of his students and co-priests have been ordained Bishops.

Then he went on to become the Rector of the newly established [[St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary]], [[Trivandrum]], of the Malankara Catholic Church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He played a major role in its establishment and progress.

== Final years ==

His final field of activity for 18 years from 1987 to 2005 was at SEERI ([[St. Ephrem Ecumenical Research Institute]]), [[Kottayam]] where he served as Dean of Studies. Panicker’s scholarship and expertise in various fields was put to good use in the many offices he held.

== Author ==

Panicker wrote a number of articles on [[theology]] and [[liturgy]].

His main works are:
*''An Historical Introduction to the Syriac Liturgy'' (1989)
* ''The Church in the Syriac Tradition'' (1990).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://syrcom.cua.edu/Hugoye/Vol2No2/HV2N2PRTaylor.html |title=Seeri |access-date=29 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222172807/http://syrcom.cua.edu/Hugoye/Vol2No2/HV2N2PRTaylor.html |archive-date=22 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Death ==

Panicker left for his heavenly abode on 28 December 2008 at Assisi Atonement Hospital, Perzhumpuzha, Kollam.

His body was interred in St. George Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at Paranthal, [[Adoor]]. Major Archbishop of [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]], [[Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis]] [[Catholicos]] led the funeral service at Paranthal and he was buried near to his parents as per his request.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081026055948/http://www.marivanioscollege.ac.in/english.html Mar Ivanios College]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828004006/http://www.smms-in.urbaniana.edu/pages/present.htm Malankara Seminary]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Panicker, Geevarghese}}
[[Category:Syro-Malankara Catholics]]
[[Category:Indian Christian theologians]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]

Geevarghese Panicker - Revision history

->Elizium23: removed Category:Indian Eastern Catholics using HotCat