Located in Kaduthuruthy, the present Kaduthuruthy St. Mary’s Valiapally is a third building serving the congregation, and is linked to the history of the Knanaya community known as Southists (തെക്കു൦ഭാഗർ) (Knanites(ക്നാനായക്കാര്)), who migrated to Kerala under the leadership of Kanai Thommen in AD 345 from East Syria to escape from the severe persecution of Persian emperor Shapor-II.
The first known written evidence for a division in the Saint Thomas Christian community dates to the 16th century, when Portuguese colonial officials took notice of it.
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Various traditions trace it back to the arrival of the Syrian merchant Thomas of Cana in the 4th century.
The majority of the population are members of the Knanaya Catholic community & Hindu Community.
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The St. Stephen's Church of Uzhavoor belongs to the Kottayam Arch Diocese of Knanaya Catholic community which was built in 1631.
Knanaya |
Born to Chacko Joseph Kelachandra & Mariamma Joseph in a Knanaya Syrian Jacobite Church Christian family, spent most of his childhood in Coorg and later relocated to Bangalore.
Currently he is Archbishop of The Knanaya Catholic Church and of Kottayam, succeeding Kuriakose Kunnacherry upon his retirement, he is a member of the Order of St. Benedict.