PATRON
Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil, son of Mathew and Aleykutty, was born on May 9, 1956. He hails from the parish of St. Sebastian's, Purapuzha, of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam. After having his preliminary studies at Govt. L.P School, Purapuzha, St. Sebastian's U.P School, Purapuzha and St. Augustine's High School, Karimkunnam, he joined the St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, Kothamangalam on July 5, 1971 in answer to the call of the Lord to priesthood. After his studies there, he was sent to St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Alwaye for his philosophical training and completed his theological training at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye. Bishop Mar George Punnakottil, the successor to Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhi, ordained him priest on December 23, 1980 at Purapuzha.
His priestly ministry started with the appointment as the assistant warden of Nirmala High School, Muvattupuzha and then as assistant parish priest at the Cathedral, Arakuzha, and Paingottoor parishes. In 1984, he was sent for higher studies in Rome and in 1989 he secured his Doctorate in Canon Law on the subject: "The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI): An Inter-ecclesial Assembly" from the Oriental Institute.
He was appointed as professor in St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam. He served the seminary in the capacity of professor, Vice-Rector and Rector for a long span of 17 years. His simplicity and humble words resembled the human face of Jesus, and the seminarians got inspiration from him. He was patient enough to hear and efficient enough to guide, which helped in the formation of many loving priests for the Church. After his term of Rectorship in the seminary he was appointed as the parish priest of St. Mary's Forane Church, Arakuzha where he truly lived as a father of the people of God. His words and deeds were inspired by prayer and communion with God, especially with Our Lady. His readiness to listen to the sorrows of the oppressed and the needy made him a real priest of Christ.
On January 10, 2013, he was announced as the new Bishop of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam. Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil was consecrated on February 9, 2013 as the third bishop of the Eparchy. His Episcopal motto is: Love Never Ends (1 Cor. 13, 8).