1. What is another name for Knanaya?
- Southist
2. Where was the 1 st place the immigrants settled in Kerala?
- Kodungalloor
3. Who was the first appointed vicar general for the Knananites?
- Mar Mathew Makil
4. Who is the senior Bishop in the Knanaya hierarchy now?
- Mar Mathew Moolakattu
5. What are the 3-fold cultures of Knanaya?
- Jewish, Syro-Oriental and Indian
6. What year did Knanites arrive at Kodungallur?
345AD
7. Unique art form of Knanites?
Margamkali
8. ________are a community that took upon themselves the responsibility of continuing the evangelic activity of St. Thomas?
Knanites
9. How many Privileges were granted to Knanites to honor them?
72 Privileges
10. Knananites made a Kerala version of “Acts of Thomas” What is it?
MargamKali
11. What year did the Knanaya immigrate to India?
345 A.D.
12. What was the name of the bishop who was traveling with the Knanites?
Uraha Mar Yousef
13. Where did the knanaya first land?
Kodungallur
14. The Knanaya were received by whom?
Cheraman Perumal
15. Who was the leader of the Knanaya, and what was his profession?
Knai Thoman/ Thomas of Cana, and his profession was a merchant
16. At the Betrothal, who shakes hands at the ceremony? Paternal uncles of Bride and Groom
17. Who escorts the groom after the groom takes a bath and changes his attire? Brother-in-law
18. Who leads the bride for the application of Henna? Eldest sister or Sisters of the Bride
19. Who accepts a talisman from the goldsmith? Sister of The Bridegroom
20. Who ushers the bride and groom home from the wedding at the church? Mother’s Brother(s) (Ammaachan)
21. Christianity in India owes its origin to whom? St. Thomas, the apostle
22. What was the mother tongue of the 72 Knanaya families who moved to India?Syriac
23. Before boarding their boat, where did the immigrants visit? Ezra’s shrine
24. When did the division of Malabar church and Kananaya Jacobites happen?1653
25. What is endogamy? Endogamy is the system of marrying within the same caste or ethnic community
26. Which year the Knanaya Region was established in the USA - 2006
27. How many forane Churches are in the Knanaya Region - 5
28. First Vicar General of Knanaya Catholic Region – Fr. Abraham Mutholath
29. Kottayam Archdiocese has two rites. One is Syromalabar, what is the other rite - Syro Malankara
30. A major Church event was done in a Knanaya Church in the 16th century. What is that event - Synod of Diamper
31. When was the new vicariate apostolic of Kottayam erected exclusively for the knanaya community?
Answer-29 August 1911
32. Who is the founder of KCYL?
Answer-KCYL is the official youth organization of the Arch-Eparchy of Kottayam. It was formally inaugurated in the diocese in 1969 by the late Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil.
33. What is the complete form of KCYL?
Answer-Knanaya Catholic youth league
Section II
34. Q: What is Kaipidutham in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Kaipidutham is the clasping of hands by the parental relatives of the groom and bride, indicating agreement for marriage.
35. Q: What is mylanchi in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Mylanchi is a special yellow ointment used to beautify the bride by smearing it on her palms and feet.
36. Q: What is Chantham Charthal in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Chantham Charthal refers to the beautification of the groom through a ceremonial shaving by the barber.
37. Q: What role does the goldsmith play in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: The goldsmith makes and presents the golden thali to the sister of the bridegroom on the eve of the marriage.
38. Q: What is the significance of venpachor in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Venpachor is white rice cooked in coconut milk, served at the wedding banquet as a reminder of the dietary habits of the community's Mesopotamian ancestors.
39. Q: What is the significance of the thread made of seven yarns from the bridal veil?
A: The thread is used for tying the thali during the wedding ceremony.
40. Q: What is Nadavili in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Nadavili refers to the shouting of "nata, nata" during the wedding procession.
41. Q: What does koluvilakku symbolize in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Koluvilakku is a special lamp used to receive the bride and groom, symbolizing warmth and welcoming.
42. Q: What is the significance of seating the couple on an elevated seat (Manarkolam) under a canopy during the wedding?
A: The elevated seat under a canopy, similar to the Jewish huppa, signifies the couple's importance and the sanctity of the marriage ceremony.
43. Q: What is the significance of offering milk and fruit (Palum Pazhavum) to the couple?
A: Offering milk and fruit symbolizes unity, as the couple drinks from the same cup.
44. Q: What is Vazhupidutham in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Vazhupidutham is the mother of the groom blessing the couple by placing her hands crosswise over their heads, similar to the gesture of the celebrant in the Syro-Malabar Liturgy.
45. Q: What is the connection between Knanaya and Jewish wedding songs?
A: The wording, content, and style of Knanaya wedding songs have a striking resemblance to those of the Cochin Jews.
46. Q: What is Venthanmudy in Knanaya wedding customs?
A: Venthanmudy is a royal crown placed on the heads of the couple, signifying their importance.
Section III
47. Q: Who were the early Nasrani people in the Malabar coast?
A: The early Nasrani people were native Indian converts and converted Jewish people, including Sephardi, Paradesi, and Cochin Jews.
48. Q: What is the difference between non-Knanaya Nasranis and Knanaya Nasranis?
A: The non-Knanaya Nasranis are called Northists, while the Knanaya Nasranis are called Southists due to their endogamous practices and origin from the southern tribes of Judea.
49. Q: What did Mar Joseph dream about that prompted the migration?
A: He dreamt about the plight of the Christian church in Malabar, established by St. Thomas the Apostle.
50. Q: What caused the Knanaya people to flee Kodungallur?
A: An assault upon Kodungallur by Muslim invaders forced them to flee.
51. Q: How were the Knanaya people affected during the Portuguese occupation?
A: They were discriminated against due to their Jewish roots.
52. Q: How did the Knanaya people manage to preserve their Jewish origin?
A: They preserved their Jewish origin by being endogamous within their community.
53. Q: What are the two main religious denominations of the Knanaya people today?
A: The Knanaya people are mainly part of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India and the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
54. Q: What was the significance of the Vatican's recognition of Knanaya Catholics and their Jewish identity in 1911?
A: The Vatican established a separate diocese for Jewish Christians (Syrian-catholic) of Kerala, named the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam.
55. Q: What did the Copper Plate Grant given to Thomas of Canaan include?
A: The Copper Plate Grant included trading and socio-religious prerogatives for the community.