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[[Image:A Syro Malabar Catholic Knanaya Jewish Nasrani Church.JPG|thumbnail|left|An unvelied tabernacle of a Kna Jewish 'palli' or Temple with 12 candlesticks in the background for the 12 tribes of ancient Israel.]]
[[Image:A Syro Malabar Catholic Knanaya Jewish Nasrani Church.JPG|thumbnail|left|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]]. <ref name = Weil>Weil, S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001</ref>. 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]]. The Knanaya Catholics and their Jewish identity have been acknowledged by the [[Holy See|Vatican]] under [[Pope Pius X]], by instituting in 1911 a diocese only for the Jewish Christians (Syrian-catholic) of Kerala. <ref name = Weil>Weil, S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001</ref> This diocese is called the ''Arch Diocese of Kottayam'' and is in the district of [[Kottayam]] in Kerala. <ref name = Weil>Weil, S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001</ref>
The first belonging to the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]] in India and second to the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]. <ref name = Weil>Weil, S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001</ref>. 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]]. The Knanaya Catholics have been acknowledged by the [[Holy See|Vatican]] under [[Pope Pius X]], by instituting in 1911 a diocese only for the Syrian-catholic of Kerala. <ref name = Weil>Weil, S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001</ref> This diocese is called the ''Arch Diocese of Kottayam'' and is in the district of [[Kottayam]] in Kerala. <ref name = Weil>Weil, S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001</ref>


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


*''Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christians'': 100,000
*''Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Christians'': 100,000
*''Knanaya Syrian Malabar Catholic Christians'': 140,000
*''Knanaya Syrian Malabar Catholic Christians'': 140,000
In all over 250,000 Knanaya [[Christian Jew]]s continue in the ancient [[Hebrews|Hebrew]]-Christian tradition.
In all over 250,000 Knanayas continue in the ancient [[Hebrews|Hebrew]]-Christian tradition.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 05:12, 4 January 2009

Main article: Syrian Malabar Nasrani
The Nasrani Menorah also known as the Mar Thoma sliba
Knanaya
File:Knanaya people.PNG
Mor Joseph of Urfa • Mar Thomas Tharayil • Mar Mathew Makil • Knai Thomman • Most Rev. Dr. Abraham Viruthakulangara • Eliza Joseph
Regions with significant populations
Majority Population:

 India
Significant Populations:
 United States
 Israel[1]
 Austria[2]
 Switzerland[3]
 Bahrain

 United Kingdom
Languages
Malayalam, English, Hebrew.
Religion
Majority Jewish Christian
Related ethnic groups
Knanaya peoples: See also: Dravidian people Semitic people

Knanaya (Heb:קנאים, Malayalam: ക്നാനായ, Ar:قينان), literally meaning "Knai people", are an Christian people of early endogamous Jewish descent from Kerala, India.[4] Their heritage and culture is syriac-Keralite, their language Malayalam. [4] Their loyalties are with the Nasrani community of Syriac Christians from Kerala. [4]

History

The Knanayas (قنانيا)(short form-"kna") are the descendants of 72 Syro-Aramaic families who migrated from Edessa, Turkey, Israel and SyriaCite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). the first city state that embraced Christianity in the Roman Empire, to Malabar coast in AD 345, under the leadership of a prominent merchant Knai Thomman (قناي تامن)(in English, Thomas the Zealot).[5] 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. The Syriac-Jews were granted permission to engage in trade and settle down in Kodungallur by the then ruler of Malabar, Cheraman Perumal.[5] The event has been recorded on copper plates given to the community.[5]

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.[6] They came mostly from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. 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. 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.[6]

The term known as Kanai or Q'nai, (קנאי singular form of Kanahim/קנאים) means "Jealous ones for God". It is claimed that 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). They were deeply against the Roman rule of Israel and fought against the Romans for the sovereignty of the Jews. During their struggle the K'nai'im people became followers of the Jewish sect led by Jesus the Nazarene. 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 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.[7]

Persecution by Portuguese

Main article: Portuguese Inquisition

The Nasranis, who were, until then, the "living fossils" of the Christian tradition, lost their very defining ethos.[8] The only Nasranis who managed to preserve some elements of their earlier origin were the Knanaya people, because of their tradition of being endogamous within their own community and therefore preserving their tradition.[7] An Imperial Order was passed to confiscate and sell under public auction the properties of those who celebrated Passover. It was perhaps because of this Order that the Knanaites celebrate Passover in a very private manner without inviting any Christian friend for sharing the Holy Meal.[9]

Contemporary Knanaya

Inside a Knanaya Church in Thazhathangadi, Kottayam

[10] Kna people are strictly endagamous and no one may convert to join the Kna people although marrying out is an increasing concern for the community. 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. [10] Kna people are also the victims of increasing missionary efforts not only from Protestant groups ecouraging them to give up on their Syrian-Christian customs and traditions, but also from some Jewish groups. 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.

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). [10] . This tradition of Pesaha appam is observed by the entire Nasrani people till this day. [10] The bridal canopy or nuppah is part of the Knanaya wedding ceremony and there is aceremonial bathing on the eve of the wedding that is parallel to the Jewish mikrah. The dead are buried facing the east to Jerusalem. [10] 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. [11]. 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. The Knanaya Catholics have been acknowledged by the Vatican under Pope Pius X, by instituting in 1911 a diocese only for the Syrian-catholic of Kerala. [11] This diocese is called the Arch Diocese of Kottayam and is in the district of Kottayam in Kerala. [11]

The approximate population of Knanaya people 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 Knanayas continue in the ancient Hebrew-Christian tradition.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Knanaya's Around the World". Knanaya's of Israel. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "ViennaKnas.com". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Swisskna.com". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c Menachery G. 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001; Weil,S. 1982; Podipara, Placid J. 1970
  5. ^ a b c Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Weil,S. 1982; James Hough 1893; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; Vellian Jacob 2001; Koder S. 1973
  6. ^ a b Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Weil,S. 1982; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; & Koder S. 1973
  7. ^ a b Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Weil, S. 1982; Poomangalam C.A 1998; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; Vellian Jacob 2001; Koder S. 1973 Cite error: The named reference "Poomangalam" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ Claudius Buchanan, 1811
  9. ^ http://knanaya.weebly.com/who-is-a-knanaite.html
  10. ^ a b c d e Weil,S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Thomas Puthiakunnel 1973; Vellian Jacob 2001; Koder S. 1973; Vellian, J 1988
  11. ^ a b c Weil, S. 1982; Jessay, P.M. 1986; Menachery G; 1973, 1998; Vellian Jacob 2001

References

  • 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)
  • Puthiakunnel, Thomas. (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.
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