Panicker was born on April 1, 1924 at Karichal.Panicker is the grand Nephew of the Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, the founder of Malankara Catholic Church Mar Ivanios, who is also known as the 'Newman of India'. He completed his higher secondary education under the guidance of Kayinikkara Kumara Pillai.[1] After the school education he joined St. Aloysius Seminary, Trivandrum.[2] He continued the philosophical and theological studies at Papal Seminary, Kandy, Sri Lanka. He was ordained a priest on August 24, 1949. He had his higher studies in Catholic University of America. He took doctorate in English Literature.