Main article: Syrian Malabar Nasrani

The Nasrani Menorah also known as the Mar Thoma sliba

Knanaya (Heb:קנאים, Malayalam: ക്നാനായ, Ar:قينان), literally meaning "Knai people", are an endogamous Jewish people from Kerala, India. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings This article addresses the Saint Thomas Christians and the various churches and denominations that form the Nasrani people. Nasrani is an Arabic word meaning Christian. Nasrani is generally understood to originally mean Nazarene, but in some areas The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an Ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India. Jewish Christians (sometimes called also "Hebrew Christians" or "Christian Jews") is a term which can have two meanings a historical one and a Dravidian peoples refers to the peoples that natively speak languages belonging to the Dravidian language family. Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a social group. Cultures who practice endogamy require marriage between specified social groups classes or ethnicities Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country ^[2] Their heritage and culture is syriac-Keralite, origin and descent Jewish, their language Malayalam. Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Not to be confused with the Malay language. Malayalam (മലയാളം malayāḷaṁ) is a Dravidian language used ^[2] Their loyalties are with the Nasrani community of Syriac Christians from Kerala. The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an Ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India. Syriac Christianity is a culturally and linguistically distinctive community within Eastern Christianity. ^[2]

History

Knanayas (قنانيا)(short form-"kna") are the descendants of 72 Syro-Aramaic Jewish families who fled from Edessa (or Urfa), the first city state that embraced Christianity, to Malabar coast in AD 345, under the leadership of a prominent merchant Knai Thomman (قناي تامن)(in English, Thomas the Zealot) following increasing persecution against Desposyni by the Byzantine Empire instituted by Constantine in 333AD. Edessa ( Greek:) is the historical name of a Syriac town in northern Mesopotamia, refounded on an ancient site by Seleucus I Nicator The Malabar Coast also known as the Malabarian Coast, is a long and narrow south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Knai Thomman or in English Thomas of Cana or Thomas the Zealot, is a very prominent Knanaya merchant from Edessa (Or Urfa ^[3] They built a town in Kodungalloor with a church and 72 houses. The natives called it Mahadevar Pattanam (محاديفر پتنم) meaning "town of superiors". After Mar Joseph (مار جوسف) had a startling dream in which he saw the plight of the Christian church in Malabar (ملابار) established by St. Thomas, the Apostle, in the first Century. They consisted of 400 Christians from 72 families of various Syriac-Jewish clans. Included in the group was a Syriac Orthodox Bishop(Mor Joseph of Urfa), Bishops and deacons. With instructions from the Patriarch of Antioch, They sailed in three ships headed by a leading ship with the flag of King David. David, Arabic: داوود or داود dawud, "beloved" was the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible The Syriac-Jews were granted permission to engage in trade and settle down in Kodungallur by the then ruler of Malabar, Cheraman Perumal. Kodungallur (anglicised name Cranganore) is a city and a Municipality in the Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala The Malabar Coast also known as the Malabarian Coast, is a long and narrow south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Cheraman Perumal can refer to Cheraman Perumal (Nayanar, A Hindu Nayanar saint from South India Cheraman ^[3] The event has been recorded on copper plates given to the community. ^[3]

Interior of Kallara Pazhayapalli in Kottayam, Kerala, a Knanaya church more than 100 years old

Before the arrival of the people, the early Nasrani (نزاريون) people in the Malabar coast included native Indian converts and converted Jewish people who had settled in Kerala during the Babylonian exile and after. Babylonia was an Amorite state in lower Mesopotamia (modern southern Iraq) with Babylon as its capital ^[4] They came mostly from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Kingdom of Israel ( ( KJV Israel in Samaria) was one of the successor states to the older United Monarchy (also often called the 'Kingdom of Israel'

Part of a series on Christianity in India
Background
Christianity Malankara Church Syrian Malabar Nasrani Saint Thomas Christians Holy Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas Malankara Metropolitans Knanaya
Events
Synod of Diamper Coonan Cross Oath Goa Inquisition
People
St Thomas St Francis Xavier Mother Teresa Reginald Heber Blessed Kuriakose Chavara Henry Martyn‎ Bishop Cotton‎ William Carey Anthony Norris Groves Hugh Findlay Charles Freer Andrews Sister Alphonsa Parumala Thirumeni
Churches
Chaldean Syrian Church Church of North India Church of South India Indian Brethren Indian Pentecostal Church Jacobite Syrian Church Malabar Independent Church Mar Thoma Church Orthodox Syrian Church Roman Catholic Church St. Thomas Evangelical Church Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
This box: view • talk • edit

According to tradition, Kna Jews are also known as Southists (Thekkumbhagar in Malayalam) as they hailed from the southern province of Israel known in the Old Testament as the Kingdom of Judah. Christianity is India's third-largest religion, with approximately 24 million followers constituting 2 Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Malankara Church of India is the Christian church believed to be started by St The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an Ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India. This article addresses the Saint Thomas Christians and the various churches and denominations that form the Nasrani people. Malankara Metropolitan is the title of the head of Malankara Church of Kerala, India, believed to be started by St The Synod of Diamper, held at Udayamperoor /Diamper ( Kerala, India) formally united the ancient Christian Church of the Malabar Coast Saint Thomas The Coonan Cross Oath was taken in 1653, by a group of Saint Thomas Christians, reacting to the persecution of their Church by the Portuguese colonials The Goa Inquisition was the office of the Inquisition acting in the Indian state of Goa and the rest of the Portuguese empire in Asia Thomas the Apostle, also called Judas Thomas, Doubting Thomas, or Didymus, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Saint Francis Xavier ( Konkani / Konknni: Sam Fransisku Xavier/ Sanv Fransisk Xavier Basque: San Frantzisko Xabierkoa Spanish: San Francisco Mother Teresa, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, (born August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997) was an Albanian ref>Spink Reginald Heber ( April 21, 1783 - April 3, 1826) was a Church of England bishop now remembered chiefly as a hymn-writer Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara was the co-founder and first prior-general of the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate and of the Congregation of the Henry Martyn ( 18 February, 1781 - 16 October 1812) was an Anglican priest and Missionary to the peoples of India George Edward Lynch Cotton ( October 29, 1813 – October 6, 1866) was an English and educator and churchman renowned for his connections William Carey may refer to William Carey (1761&ndash1834 an English Protestant missionary William Carey (c Biography Early life Groves was born in Newton Valance, Hampshire, England Hugh Findlay ( Newmilns, Ayrshire, Scotland, June 9, 1822 &ndash March 2, 1900 in Fish Haven Idaho Advent Christian Conference Anglican Church of India Apatani Christian Fellowship Apostolic Christian Assembly Chaldean Syrian Church is the name used for the Assyrian Church of the East in India. The Church of North India (CNI the dominant Protestant denomination in northern India is a United church established on 29 November 1970 by The Church of South India ( Abbreviation: CSI) is a union of many Protestant Denominations spread throughout South India. The Brethren are a Christian Evangelical Premillennial religious movement The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC is the largest indigenous Pentecostal movement in India, with its headquarters at Hebron Kumbanad, Kerala The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church is the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Kerala, India. Malabar Independent Syriac Church is also known as Thozhyur Sabah (church and Anjoor church The Mar Thoma Church is a Christian denomination from Kerala, the South Western State of India. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known as the Malankara Orthodox Church, Orthodox Church of the East, Orthodox Syrian Church of the East, The Roman Catholic Church in India is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. St Thomas Evangelical Church of India (STECI is an Evangelical, Episcopal denomination based in Kerala, India. The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church (also known as Malankara Syrian Catholic Church Malankara Syriac Catholic Church) The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is a Chaldean Rite Major Archiepiscopal Church in Full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Judea is a term used for the mountainous southern part of the historic Land of Israel. The distinction between the northern heavily exogamous Samarians and the southern zealously endagamous tribes of Judea led to the difference among the non-Knanaya Nasranis as Northists and the Knanaya as Southists. The Knanaya (Kanahi people) continue to remain an endogamous group also within the Nasrani community. Kanai ( Hebrew: קנאי, plural kana'im, קנאים) is a term for a zealot ^[4]

The term known as Kanai or Q'nai, (קנאי singular form of Kanahim/קנאים) means "Jealous ones for God". The K'nai people are the biblical Aaronites referred to as Kanahi (overly jealous and with zeal), who came to Saba around 135AD from the southern province of Judea (whence the derives the term southists). Sheba ( Hebrew: שבא, Sh'va, Arabic: سبأ Sabaʼ, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya: ሳባ Saba They were deeply against the Roman rule of Israel and fought against the Romans for the sovereignty of the Jews. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial During their struggle the K'nai'im people became followers of the Jewish sect led by Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Many of Jesus' followers had names typical among freedom fighters such as Zealot (Simon Cana), Daggerman (Judas Iscariot), Rock (Simon Peter), Thunderson (James & John) etc. . After the crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans in 33 CE, the Knanaya intensified their struggle against the Roman rule.

In 70 CE, hundreds of Kanahi evaded capture from the Romans and took shelter in the fortress at Masada. Masada ( Hebrew מצדה pronounced Metzada, from מצודה metzuda, "fortress" is the name for a site of ancient Palaces and In 72 CE, after a two year siege, 960 Kanahi unwilling to give up to the Romans killed themselves before the Romans could capture them. This act of martyrdom is still commemorated in Israel. In 345 CE a small group of K'nanaim merchants travelled to the Jewish trade posts at Kodungallur in Kerala and settled there. Their descendants are today known in Kerala as Knanaya Nasranis. ^[5]

Contemporary Knanaya

Many of the Jewish customs are still preserved by the Knanaya. ^[6] Kna people are strictly endagamous and no one may convert to join the Kna people although marrying out is an increasing concern for the shrinking community. That being said there is a big question about whether to allow other Jews into the community as genetic testing indicates was certainly the practice in the past. The Knanaya and other Nasranis as a whole maintained close relationship with the Jews of Kerala, (known today as Cochin Jews) until the Portuguese inquisition of the Jews and Nasranis in the early 1500s. Cochin Jews, also called Malabar Jews ( Malabar Yehudan) are the ancient Jews and their descendants of the former Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. ^[6] Kna people are also the victims of increasing missionary efforts not only from Protestant groups ecouraging them to give up on their Jewish custioms and traditions, but also from some Jewish groups. Kna people trace their Jewish identity back to Archiereus Thomas Jude the brother of James Alphaeus and because of this they have frequently been called St. Thomas Christians. They descend from 72 priestly families descended from the same desposyni that Thomas Jude belonged to. the number 72 has a significance for the 72 nations of the world and each of the 72 families have their own unique family rule. One of the primary questions surrounding the acceptance of Jewish people marrying into the Kna Naya (Kna people) is which rule they could accept such Jews into.

Although grape produce is now consumed as a result of Portuguese influence, this was originally not the case among the Knanaya people. The tradition is preserved in the consumption of Pesaha pal (passover coconut milk) instead of wine on the night of passover along with Pesaha-appam (unleavened passover bread). ^[6] . This tradition of Pesaha appam is observed by the entire Nasrani people till this day. ^[6] The bridal canopy is part of the Knanaya wedding ceremony, while the dead are buried facing the east. ^[6] Thanksgiving blessings which the Knanaya people use which follow the Hebrew formula, Birkat HaMazon ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, המוציא לחם מן הארץ when initiating a Eucharistic Mass.

Knanaya community at present

An unvelied tabernacle of a Kna Jewish 'palli' or Temple with 12 candlesticks in the background for the 12 tribes of ancient Israel.

The first belonging to the Syriac Orthodox Church in India and second to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. The Syriac Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Middle East with members spread throughout the world The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is a Chaldean Rite Major Archiepiscopal Church in Full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. ^[7]. Knanaya are very much conscious about their origin and up until today safeguard their ethnic character by marrying people from within the community regardless of rite. A Knanaya Syriac Orthodox diocese, established in 1910, is administered by an archbishop who reports directly to the Patriarch of Antioch of the Syrian Orthodox Church. In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead The Syriac Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Middle East with members spread throughout the world The Knanaya Catholics and their Jewish identity have been acknowledged by the Vatican under Pope Pius X, by instituting in 1911 a diocese only for the Jewish Christians (Syrian-catholic) of Kerala. The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, commonly known as the Pope, and is the preeminent Episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Saint Pius X ( Latin: Pius PP X) ( June 2, 1835 &mdash August 20, 1914) born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the ^[7] This diocese is called the Arch Diocese of Kottayam and is in the district of Kottayam in Kerala. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> This article is about the town of Kottayam See Kottayam district also ^[7]

The approximate population of Kna Jews as of 2001: (divided by different denominations)

• Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christians: 100,000
• Knanaya Syrian Malabar Catholic Christians: 140,000

In all over 250,000 Knanaya Christian Jews continue in the ancient Hebrew-Christian tradition. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Jewish Christians (sometimes called also "Hebrew Christians" or "Christian Jews") is a term which can have two meanings a historical one and a Hebrews (or Hebertes, Eberites, Hebreians, " Habiru " or " Habiri " Hebrew: עברים

Today Knanaya are found in all major cities of India. Large numbers of Knanaya live in places such as Boston, Tampa, South Florida, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, Ohio, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Toronto, Washington D.C. and Minneapolis. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the US state of Oklahoma. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Ohio ( is a Midwestern state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads The Las Vegas metropolitan area includes the Las Vegas Valley a 600-square-mile (1600 km² basin and surrounding areas that is part of Clark County in southern Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Also there is a growing Knanaya community in the U.K mainly in Greater London, Manchester, and Cardiff. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Greater London is the top-level administrative subdivision covering London, England. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. Knanaya are also seen in the countries of the Middle East, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation There are conventions they attend to get together and plan for the future of the Knanaya community. The latest North American Knanaya Orthodox (Jacobite) Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois. The most recent North American Knanaya Catholic Convention was held in San Jose, California in July 2006. The next convention will be held in Edison, New Jersey in July 2008. Edison Township (usually known as Edison) is a township in Middlesex County New Jersey, United States.

See also

• Kenites
• Cochin Jews
• Kanahi
• Zealots
• Syrian Malabar Nasrani
• Saint Thomas Christians
• Masada
• Knanaya Family

Notes

References & Bibliography

• Menachery G (1973) The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, Ed. George Menachery, B. N. K. Press, vol. 2, ISBN 81-87132-06-X, Lib. Cong. Cat. Card. No. 73-905568 ; B. N. K. Press

• Vellian Jacob (2001) Knanite community: History and culture; Syrian church series; vol. XVII; Jyothi Book House, Kottayam

• "In Universi Cristiani" (Latin Text of the Papal erection of the Knanaya Diocese of Kottayam)

• Thomas Puthiakunnel, (1973) "Jewish colonies of India paved the way for St. Thomas", The Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, ed. George Menachery, Vol. II. , Trichur.

• Koder S. (1973) "History of the Jews of Kerala". The St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India,Ed. G. Menachery.

• Vellian, J (1988) Marriage Customs of the Knanites, Christian Orient, 9, Kottayam.

• Weil,S. (1982) "Symmetry between Christians and Jews in India: The Cananite Christians and Cochin Jews in Kerala. in Contributions to Indian Sociology,16.

• Jessay, P. M. (1986) "The Wedding Songs of the Cochin Jews and of the Knanite Christians of Kerala: A Study in Comparison. " Symposium.

• James Hough (1893) "The History of Christianity in India".

• Menachery G (ed); (1998) "The Indian Church History Classics", Vol. I, The Nazranies, Ollur, 1998. [ISBN 81-87133-05-8].

• Poomangalam C. A (1998) The Antiquities of the Knanaya Syrian Christians; Kottayam, Kerala.

• Podipara, Placid J. (1970) "The Thomas Christians". London: Darton, Longman and Tidd.

External links

• Knanaya Catholic community
• Knanaya Jacobite Annual Convention
• Jews of Kerala
• Christians of Kerala
• Indian Christianity
• Archdiocese of Kottayam
• St.Johns Puthenpally Chingavanam