DELPHOS — Because the Catholic religion is unified by one global church, various cultures share a common faith. How the religion is expressed in a respective nation can be influenced by those of another ethnicity.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Associate Pastor George Maramkandom, 38, hails from India, where Catholicism is “enculturated.”
“Indian Catholicism is an enculturated Catholicism. For example, in the case of funerals, weddings and other sacraments, expressions are adapted to our culture,” he began. “In weddings, the vestments we use, the ornaments, symbols and style of ceremony are cultural. Instead of using rings, we use a type of necklace called a Thali, which is a Hindu tradition adapted to Catholicism. Instead of using the OM symbol, we use a cross and the priest blesses them.”
Father George also says the Virgin Mary is depicted in statues with traditional Indian female attire.
Maramkandom remains part of the Malankara Catholic Diocese in India while appointed to St. John’s.
“I came here to work in the Diocese of Toledo. Right now, I am a member of my home diocese but would like to be here for the next four years, which is my appointment. Perhaps I will stay here longer, depending on the bishops’ decisions,” he said.
Despite the low percentage of Christians in India — just 2.8 percent — the southern state of Kerala is 19 percent Christian, accounting for a greater number of priests like Fr. George.
Growing up in a Catholic family, Maramkandom made his final decision to enter the priesthood after earning a bachelor degree in philosophy. He graduated from seminary in India and became a priest in 1996.
He served as an assistant at St. John’s Cathedral in the city of Thiruvalla. He also served as a parish priest in different parishes over a 7-year period, as the diocesan youth director and social service director before continuing his academic quest.
“For the past three years, I was in Rome before coming here. I was studying at Gregorian University and obtained two degrees. One is a diploma in social communications and the other is a licentiate, or a master’s degree, in missiology,” he said.
Fr. George says his time in Europe makes it easier to adapt to American culture.
“Since I spent three years in Rome and visited Germany while I was there, I am used to adapting to cultures outside of India. I also speak Italian and German, so that helps also. The culture in Delphos is connected to Germany and that has been very helpful to me,” he said.
Maramkandom has officiated over a wedding and a funeral since arriving on July 3. He also alternates celebrating daily Mass with the Rev. Mel Verhoff, the parish pastor, whom he says has been very helpful to him in getting acclimated to his new post. He also says he finds the rectory staff and the church’s members to be very friendly.
The minister’s parents have passed on and he has a brother who lives in Bombay.