The Knananites are the descendents of Syrian Christians of Jews origin migrated to The Malabar Coast (Kerala) of India during the Fourth Century, under the leadership of Thomas of Kana( Knai Thomas)to rejuvenate the disintegrating Christian Church established the St.Thomas , the apostle. we are a very distinct ethnic and religious group whose ancestry traces back to Abraham the Patriarch of the Old Testament . The arrival of Knai Thomas and our people helped the disintegrating Malabar Church both spiritually and socially. Further we brought the Syrian (Church of Antioch) traditions and teachings to Malabar that are practiced by millions today. Knananites stayed as part of the Syrian church and maintained our ethic heritage.
Knai Thomas and our fore father were the discontents of the two tribes of the southern kingdom(tribes of Judah and Benjamin Striking similarities exist between Knanaya Christians and the Cochin(India) Jews. Both group were granted the 72 privileges by the ruling Cheraman Perumals. Copper plates given to the Jews (kept in the Mattancherry Synagogue) were handed to Joseph Rabban, a first century merchant of Kodungalloor, just as Knai Thomas was given similar copperplates during the fourth century. Both groups are endogamous.
The Syrian church prospered until the arrival of the Portuguese during the 5th Century. The Portuguese tried to eradicate the Syrian rites and replace them with the Latin rites. In 1599, the Portuguese Archbishop Menesis of Goa assembled a synod at Udayamparoor and by force, changed he Syrian teaching existed since the arrival of the Knananites, Archbishop Menesis and his successors were able to convert some Syrian with their power and money. However, under the leadership of, Anjilimoottil IttythommanKathanar, a Knanaya priest from Kallissery, resisted the Portuguese during the middle of the 17th Century. under his leadership approximately 25,000Syrian Christian assembled in Mattancherry (near Cochin)and pledged that they will not accept the Latin teaching. The oath, known as bent cross( Coonan Kurisu), took place in January1653 when the Syrian heard that their Patriarch, Ahathallah Bhava, was drowned by the Portuguese.
After the bent cross, Syrian Church split in to two. the group led by Mor Thomas Arkadion of Pakalomattom and Ittythomman Kathanar continued to follow the Syrian faith while the other group accepted the Roman faith. However, along with the split the Knananites also become to groups Knanaya Jacobites and Knanaya Catholics.
During the 18th and 19th centuries Syrian Christians become involved in several internal conflicts. One of the major disputes was regarding the ownership of funs and interest owed to the Church from the British(Vattippanam). After years of legal battle, the Court declared that the group led by Mor Dionysus Joseph Pulikottil, Malankara metropolitan was the beneficiary of the funds. The person who helped Mor Dionysus to win this renowned court battle was a Knananite, Edavazhickal Pothachan ( E.M Philip). His dedication to the Syrian Church and its causes made him known as the “ Nasrani Simham” meaning Christian Lion.Mor Joseph Pulikottil’s time ( second half of the 19th century) was probably the “Golden Era” in the Malankara Syrian Church History. His love and respect for Knananite were evident in having three Knananites in his administration.
On January 21(Makaran 8) , 1982, with the blessing of Mor Joseph Pulikkottil, eleven Knanaya priests assembled at St. Stephen’s Knanaya Church Veliyanad and formed an organization called “ Malankara Jacobite Syrian Knanaya Committee” the meeting unanimously elected E M Philip Edavazhickal as the secretory and Uthuppan Thomma Puthenpurackal (Vazhayil ) as the treasurer. The formation of this Knanaya Committee was a significant turning point in the Knanaya history. The Knanaya committee codified ruled and guidelines for the administration of the nine churches existed as of that date, Further, the Knanaya committee was instrumental in bringing together the Knananites spread from Ramamangalam to Ranny based on their endogamous nature. E M Philip is one of the foremost leader of the Knanya community. He deserves the credit of being the architect of the Knanaya committee of which he was the first secretary. For 32 years he was the secretary of Knanaya samudayam. During this period he contributed a great deal to the progress and development of the community.
In 1910, upon Knanaya Committee’s request , Patriarch Ignatius Abdulla created a Knanaya Diocese with personal jurisdiction considering their ethnic background(i.e,. all Knananites and their churches irrespective of location, will be administered by the Knanaya Diocese ). On August 31, 1910, the Patriarch ordained Fr. Geevarghese Edavazhickal (Mor Severious) as the first Knanaya Bishop.
Mor Severious Geevarghese, the first bishop of the Knanaya Diocese, was the tenth priest from the priest who initiated the formation of the Knanaya Committee. The foundation for the present Knanaya church was lad during his tenure of 17 years. the first constitution of the Knanaya Diocese (1918), the establishment of the Knanaya Association (representative body of Knanaya churches)and the Severious fund were few of the major achievements during Mor Severiou’s time. His Grace also acquired the land(in Chingavanam) for the diocesan headquarters and began building the bishop’s house (Ephraim Seminary) . Mor Severiou’s passed away on June 11, 1927.
Mor Diacros Thomas, the second bishop of the Knanaya Diocese, was ordained as Metropolitan at Jerusalem in 1926. After the death of Mor Severios, the Patriach appointed Mor Diascros as the diocesan Metropolitan. Mor Diacros lived a very pious and simple life . Construction of the Ephraim Seminary buiding was completed during his time. The Vanitha Mandiram at Kurichy and Mor Severios High School at Ranny were established during HG time. The famous Patriachal Bull No.42 known as the “ Megna Carta” of Knanaya Diocese, was issued during Mor Discros time. this Apostolic Patriarchal Bull issued by H H Mor Ignatius Eliass III confirmed that the Knanaya Church in Malankara is independent and proclaiming that our Church shall for all time to come remain absolutely independent and autonomous under the administration of a Metropolitan nominated by the Knanaya Association. The bull decrees that Knanaya Diocese always shall be under the Holy Sea of Antioch and that they have the right to get bishops ordained by the Patriarch. unfortunately Mor Diacros joined the Roman Catholic Church in November 1939.
Fr. Thamarappallil Abraham was the one of the foremost priests of the Knanaya community. Achen was born to Kochuthomman and Chachy. He was quiet and pious. His Parents decided to make him a priest. In 1894 he become a prest after learning Syria from Pasay Seminary Kottayam. He was made the vicar of Kallissery church during the long period of his service he modified the church building . The church property was extended and schools were established under the church. He was very much interested in women’s education. He arranged for the early memorial service of Anjilimoottil Ittythomman Kathanar. in 1915 he was made the Vicar General of Knanaya samudayam. Later he was made the Administrator of the central fund (Bhadrasana Nidhi) amounting to one lakh rupees with the help of V O Markose, M C Korah Mundukottackal and K T Thomas Kelachandra.
He organized missionary activities at Vakathanam, Kolladu, Nedumon and Kattodu. The constitution of the Samudhayam was revised in his period as the administrator. He was the trustee of the Severiose fund. He passed away on 25th October 1947 at the age of 76.
From the period of Thamarappallil Abraham Corpiscopa to the time of H G Abraham Mor Climese the administration of the diocese was meritoriously managed by V Rev. P J Thomas Corpiscopa. V rev. P J Thomas the pioneer leader of the Knanaya community, was born to Rev. Fr. P J Joseph Purackal and Mariyamma in Ranny in Kollam era1077. Priesthood was conferred on him by H H Mor Elias III, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, in 1013 Kollam Era. He was made the Vicar general by Bishop Dioskorose. He was chiefly responsible for making M S Middle school a high school. In this time this school came to the forefront in academic excellence, sports and discipline. The achievements of the school inspired the founding the St Thomas High school and M S Training School. He was an illustrious leader who left a great mark in the public life of the region. the ever increasing dowry rate which created problems among the commoners was controlled by rev P J Thomas. He organized a system where by a [art of high dowry amounts was given to a fund for conducting marriages of poor girls. He also strictly regulated the wasteful extravagance of church festivals. The Jacobite and Orthadox sections were brought together in a meeting held at Ephrem Seminary, Chingavanam during his period with the aim of ending the dispute between the two.
V I Oonnithan or Oonnikunju was born in the Vayala family at Ranni on April 22nd 1918 to Kochidikkula and Pennamma, was ordained M’ Samrono by H G Dioskoros. In 1932 H E was ordained as a Korooyo at Ranni Valiyapally by H H Ignatius Elias III,Dn, Oonnittan had the good fortune of being tought by Mor Junius Bava and Abdul Ahad Ramban who later become the Patriarch on January 15, 1947. H E was ordained a priest at Ranni Valiyapally by Mar Julius Metropolitan in1947, H H Petriarch Ignatius Aprem I ordained tirumeni as a Ramban on April 8,1951 and as the third Metropolitan of the Knanaya Diocese on April 15,1951 at the Petriarchal Cathedral in Homs in Syria with the name Mor Clemis Abraham.
Mor Clemis tirumeni established himself as the veritable leader of not only the Knanaya Community but also of the Malankara Church. as a result tirumeni was elected as the Malankara Metropolitan in 1957. In 1982 recognizing the leadership and wisdom. His holiness and Patriarch of Antioch and all the east, decorated Clemis tirumeni with the highest honor a bishop can receive, the title of “Kubernithi Hakimo” which means a ‘Wise Caption’. again in 1989 his holiness bestowed on tirumeni the position of the “ Chief Metropolitan of the east” recognizing the continued contributions to the whole Indian Christian Community. It is a position similar to that of the Catholicose.
Clemic tirumeni was a key player in the Kerala politics. tirumeni’s political influence was so powerful that even Mrs. Indira Gandhi went so seminary in chingavanam in 1972 to ask for thirumeni’s support as well as the advice. In 1997 none other than the then ‘Vice president of India Mr. K R Narayanan inaugurated the bishop jubilee celebrations. The community celebrated the Episcopal jubilee of Mor Clemis tirumeni on a grant scale in 2000 and his holiness the Petriarch blessed the occasion with the presence. our Metropolital H E will be best remembered as the best spiritual gain who lent stability to the Knanaya Community and inspired its flagging spirits.
Knanaya samudhayam was consecrated Anjilimoottil Achen as Cor Episcopus on 19th June 2003 by Mor H G Diwanasios Giwargis as directed by H H Petriarch Mor Ignatius Zakkai at the St Mary’s church Anaprampal, Edathua. Fr A P Joseph was born on 23rd April 1938 to Anjilimoottil Chacko and Chechiyamma. He is from the 14th generation of the great warrior of Syrian Orthodox faith Anjilimoottil Ittythomman Kathanar, he was elected as the Administrator of Knanaya Diocese by the Malankara Suriani Knanaya Association on 7th December 2002 at Mor Ephraim Seminary at Chingavanam and was appointed on 11th December 2002 by H H Petriarch Mor Ignatius Zakkai through Bull No E247/02.
Kuriakose Abraham was born to Kunjavarachan and Mariyammaon May 21st 1959 in the Edavazhickal family. H E was ordained as a priest on February 4th 1990 and consecrated as the fourth Metropolitan of the Knanaya Samudayam on January 15th 2004. In January 2007, he was elected to chief Metropolitan and Archbishop of the Knanaya Archdiocese. H E oversee the whole Malankara Syrian Knanaya Archdiocese and also in charge of the Chingavanam and Gulf region of Malankara Syrian Knanaya Archdiocese.
C T Kurian was born on January 15th 1954 to the son of Chaluparambil Kunjomachen and Ammini from Puthenkalathil family. H G was consecrated as the first Assistant Bishop of the Knanaya Archdiocese on February 2nd 2007 in Damuscus. Gregorios tirumeni is the regional Metropolitan of the Kallissery and Malabar region of the Knanaya Archdiocese and reside at Beth Nagrin Bishop House, Thiruvalla.Beth Nehrin’s Bishop House is the one of the tirumeni’s greatest endeavors and its inauguration and dedication occurred on February 1st 2009. Later H E constructed a Chapel in the premier of Bishop House.
H G Mor Ivanios Kuriakose was consecrated as the Assistant Metropolitan of Knanaya Archdiocese on June 11th 2008. H G was known as Kolath Achen born on June 9th 1964 to son of Kolath Abraham and Thankamma. On 1st April 1990 H G was ordained as Deacon and 15th of August 1993 as a priest by Mor Clemis Abraham Valia Meptropolitan at Neelamperoor pally. Currently H G regional Metropolitan of Ranni, High range and outside Kerala region Knanaya Archdiocese . H G’s great achievement to build his bishop house at Ranni and dedicated as Uraha Bishop’s house.
H E was formally known as Rev.Fr.Job Thottathil born on April 18th 1972 as the son of Thottathil Uthup and Kunjamma. H E was ordained as a priest on August 6th 1999 and served the Knanaya Church in London for long time. H E was also consecrated as the Assistant Metropolitan of Knanaya archdiocese along with H G Kuriakose Mor Ivanios on June 11th 2008. H E received the Doctorate degree from London and appointed as the first Metropolitan of the America, Canada and Europe Region of Knanaya Samudayam. H E become the Archbishop in January 2009.
I hope the above concise account will serve as a reminder and a inspiration to our youth of today and the future generation to come , as who we are and why it is very important to lay aside our differences and work together to ensure the continued prosperity of our community.
