North American Knanaya Community

Knanaya Convention 2012

Dear North American Knanaya Community Members,

The North American Knanaya Association is proud to host the 26th Family Convention which will be held at Hudson Valley Resort & Spa in Hudson County, New York. This resort is located just 90 miles North of New York City and all major NY airports. This Convention Center is set amid 400 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and surrounded by majestic Mountains on all sides. Hudson Valley Resort offers over 41,000 square feet of multipurpose & state-of-the art Theater & Grand Ballroom to hold all our meetings, Talent Competition, Cultural programs, Sports and Entertainment. The Guest rooms and meeting rooms are all conveniently located within the same building. The hotel offers other great amenities like a full service Spa, Health Club, Golf Course, indoor and outdoor pools, evening lounge for our youth and many other activities to keep you and your family relaxed and entertained during your stay.

The North American Knanaya Committee along with various Convention Sub-committees are working diligently to make the 26^th Knanaya Convention a grand success and enjoyable for all our community members. The goal is to have a well balanced mix of activity and relaxation for our community members to mingle and enjoy their time together. The Youth & Women’s Organization along with Convention committee are working on some New & Exciting programs for our entertainment. If you are interested in participating in any of the events at the Convention please contact the Convention Convener Mr. Stanley Kalarickamuriyil or any of the listed coordinators.

We humbly request your participation and support to make the 26th Family Conference a grand success.

2012 Convention registration Kick off pictures

Flyer:

Knanaya Convention Flyer

Forms:

Rules & Regulations

NAKC 2012 Talent Show Rules,guidelines other information

NAKC National Directory & Phone Book

NAKC National Directory & Phone Book

6 th NAKA Managing Committee:

President : Rev. Fr. C.M. Punnoose Chaluvelil (New York)

Vice-President : Rev. Fr. C.M. Markose Chaluparampil (Hartford)

Secretary : Mr. T.M Mathew Parackamannil (New Jersey)

Joint Secretary : Mr. Thomas Joseph, Charivuparampil (Hartford)

Treasurer : Mr. Abe Abraham Vazhayil (Boston)

Committee members:

1. Mr. Sajan Idicula Punnattusseril (New Jersey)

2. Mr. Prasad Abraham Parayil (New York)

3. Mr. James Anthrayose Panthrandamkuzhiyil (Philadelphia)

4. Mr. Thomas Abraham, Chirayilparampil (Long Island)

Auditor:

Mr. Simon Mukkatt (New Jersey)

THOMAS OF CANA (KNAI THOMMAN)

knai

Twenty years after the Nicean Council (synod), Knai Thoma, a rich international merchant from Cana, brought a colony of 400 Syrian Christians consisting of 72 families belonging to 7 clans with instructions from the Patriarch of Antioch, Mor Yusthedius, to the Malabar coast ofIndia. The group included men, women, children, priests, deacons and their bishop Mor Joseph of Urfa (Uraha/Edessa). The names of the seven clans were: Bagi, Belkuth, Hadai, Kujalig, Koja, Mugmuth, and Thegmuth. The legend is that Mor Joseph had a startling dream (vision) in which he saw the plight of the Christian church in Malabar established by St. Thomas, the Apostle, in the 1st Century. Mor Joseph and Knai Thoma landed in Kodungalloor (Crangannoore) in 345 AD. Knai Thoma and his group sailed in three ships. The leading ship called "Babylonia" had three masts. The main mast flew King David's flag, the second mast flew the Roman flag with the cross, and the third flew King Abgar of Edessa's flag.

Knai Thoma and his people were heartily welcomed by Cheraman Perumal, the Emperor. Cheraman Perumal sent his brother, Ramavarma, and his minister, Vettathu Mannan, to receive Knai Thoma and his people. Knai Thoma and his people were given permission to settle down in Kodungalloor and to do business. Later Cheraman Perumal bestowed Knai Thoma and his people with 72 princely privileges and there by elevated them over 17 castes. This proclamation was made on a Saturday in March (Kumbham 29), 345 and it was recorded on copper plates given to Knai Thoma (Knai Thomman Cheppedu).

Knai Thoma and his people built a town in Kodungalloor with a church and 72 houses. The natives called it "Mahadevar Pattanam" meaning "town of superiors". Knai Thoma and his people converted many natives to Christianity and built many churches. Thus the arrival of Knai Thoma and his people (Knananites) reestablished the church founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle.

URAHA MOR JOSEPH

URAHA MOR JOSEPH

(Bishop of Edessa) in AD 324

Mor Joseph (also known as Aithlaha) became the Bishop of Edessa in AD 324, a year before the Synod of Nicea. The original church of Edessa, St. Thomas Church was built in AD 52, which had been washed away in a great flood in AD 203 during the reign of King Abgar. A second flood washed through Edessa and laid it waste in AD 303. Ten years later, the foundations of a new church were laid at Edessa and that was completed in the days of Mor Joseph. Also, He made the first recorded cemetery for the Christians according to historical records.