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RITE OF HOLY EXTREME UNCTION
MY VALLIYA PAPA , YOUR PANICKER ACEN , OUR FR.GEEVARGHESE PANICKER
In Memoriam : Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Panicker 1924 - 2008
The end of 2008 was also the end of the noble earthly life and meritorious activities of Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Panicker.
He passed away on December 28, after about a month of intensive and competent medical care.
Fr.Panicker was born on April 1, 1924 at Karichal.His father was K. G. Thomas Panicker -Kizhakeveetil and his mother was Achiyamma Thomas Panicker -Kaithayil and he was the eldest of seven children.
Rev.Dr. Panicker was not a common place individual. His academic qualifications include the Master’s degree in both Philosophy and Theology from the Pontifical Athaneum at Kandy in Sri Lanka where he underwent training for the priesthood. He secured the Master’s degree in English language and literature from the University college, Trivandrum and the Doctorate in these subjects from the Catholic University of America. He served as a member of the Senate, Member of the Board of Postgraduate studies in English Literature, Member of the Doctoral Committee of English Literature, Chairman of the Faculty of studies of Syriac and Hebrew, and Member of the Academic Council of the University of Kerala and also President of the Private College Principals Council. He was a member of State Advisory Board of Education, Member of State Advisory Board for Higher Education and Member of the Committee constituted by the Kerala State for Autonomous Colleges.
Rev.Dr. Panicker possessed great wisdom and extraordinary vision. He was an educator par excellence.
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.
After his retirement from the college, Dr. Panicker was appointed by the Bishops’ Council of Kerala as Rector of the St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary at Aluva, which before its bifurcation had a student strength of more than 700 clerics, like Meynouth in Ireland, decades ago. Dr. Panicker’s tenure as Rector was for two consecutive terms of 3 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.
He went on to become the Rector of the newly established Major Seminary of the Malankara Catholic Church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He played a major role in its establishment and progress.
His final field of activity for 18 years – 1987 to 2005 – was SEERI ( St Ephrems Ecumenical Research Institute - Kottyam ), where he served as Dean of Studies -Mahatma Gandhi University - Kottayam - Kerala . Eminent scholars from various countries who visited SEERI as participants of World Syriac Conferences held here or friends and patrons of this singular Institution which promotes Syriac studies have known Dr. Panicker personally. All of them will lament his demise. Dr. Panicker’s scholarship and expertise in various fields was put to good use in the many offices he held.
Above all, he was a priest of God and a devoted servant of the Church. He was always open in his talks and only feared God . His homilies and talks for correction were eloquent and often quite sharp. Many members of the church and laiety must have squirmed when his sonorous voice thundered like that of the Baptist urging “the brood of vipers”to repentance and baptism.
His published writings are not extensive, yet precious.
His body was interred in Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at Paranthal, Adoor. Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos led the funeral service. He was buried near his parents as he requested. Panicker died on the same day as his father, Thomas Panicker, did 32 years ago.Contrary to his expressed wish, the funeral, the day after death, was far from simple. Among his disciples are many who occupy eminent positions in various fields – administrators and politicians, advocates and judges, actors and entertainers, ecclesiastical dignitaries and civil luminaries. Most of them were in attendance of the funeral to pay their homage.
The Lord whom he served zealously over decades will certainly greet him as his faithful servant and welcome him into the eternal abode of bliss.
May he rest in peace!
He passed away on December 28, after about a month of intensive and competent medical care.
Fr.Panicker was born on April 1, 1924 at Karichal.His father was K. G. Thomas Panicker -Kizhakeveetil and his mother was Achiyamma Thomas Panicker -Kaithayil and he was the eldest of seven children.
Rev.Dr. Panicker was not a common place individual. His academic qualifications include the Master’s degree in both Philosophy and Theology from the Pontifical Athaneum at Kandy in Sri Lanka where he underwent training for the priesthood. He secured the Master’s degree in English language and literature from the University college, Trivandrum and the Doctorate in these subjects from the Catholic University of America. He served as a member of the Senate, Member of the Board of Postgraduate studies in English Literature, Member of the Doctoral Committee of English Literature, Chairman of the Faculty of studies of Syriac and Hebrew, and Member of the Academic Council of the University of Kerala and also President of the Private College Principals Council. He was a member of State Advisory Board of Education, Member of State Advisory Board for Higher Education and Member of the Committee constituted by the Kerala State for Autonomous Colleges.
Rev.Dr. Panicker possessed great wisdom and extraordinary vision. He was an educator par excellence.
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.
After his retirement from the college, Dr. Panicker was appointed by the Bishops’ Council of Kerala as Rector of the St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary at Aluva, which before its bifurcation had a student strength of more than 700 clerics, like Meynouth in Ireland, decades ago. Dr. Panicker’s tenure as Rector was for two consecutive terms of 3 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.
He went on to become the Rector of the newly established Major Seminary of the Malankara Catholic Church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He played a major role in its establishment and progress.
His final field of activity for 18 years – 1987 to 2005 – was SEERI ( St Ephrems Ecumenical Research Institute - Kottyam ), where he served as Dean of Studies -Mahatma Gandhi University - Kottayam - Kerala . Eminent scholars from various countries who visited SEERI as participants of World Syriac Conferences held here or friends and patrons of this singular Institution which promotes Syriac studies have known Dr. Panicker personally. All of them will lament his demise. Dr. Panicker’s scholarship and expertise in various fields was put to good use in the many offices he held.
Above all, he was a priest of God and a devoted servant of the Church. He was always open in his talks and only feared God . His homilies and talks for correction were eloquent and often quite sharp. Many members of the church and laiety must have squirmed when his sonorous voice thundered like that of the Baptist urging “the brood of vipers”to repentance and baptism.
His published writings are not extensive, yet precious.
His body was interred in Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at Paranthal, Adoor. Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos led the funeral service. He was buried near his parents as he requested. Panicker died on the same day as his father, Thomas Panicker, did 32 years ago.Contrary to his expressed wish, the funeral, the day after death, was far from simple. Among his disciples are many who occupy eminent positions in various fields – administrators and politicians, advocates and judges, actors and entertainers, ecclesiastical dignitaries and civil luminaries. Most of them were in attendance of the funeral to pay their homage.
The Lord whom he served zealously over decades will certainly greet him as his faithful servant and welcome him into the eternal abode of bliss.
May he rest in peace!
Achen Early Years
TOMB OF Fr.PANICKER AT PARANTHAL
WELCOME TO ALL WHO LOVED PANICKER ACHEN
RITE OF HOLY EXTREME UNCTION
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