Page "Mar Thoma Syrian Church" Paragraph 53

During the time of King Shapur II ( 310 – 379 ) of Persia, a group of 400 immigrants ( 72 families ) from Persia arrived in Malabar under the leadership of merchant Knai Thomman.

They were engaged in trade and settled down in Kodungallur. Another immigration from Persia occurred around 825 under the leadership of Persian merchant Marwan Sabriso, with two Bishops, Mar Sapro and Mar Prodh.

Together they were known as Knanaya ( Kanahi people.

They continued to remain an endogamous group within the Nasrani community.

They cooperated with the Malankara Church, attended worship services together but remained a separate identity.

By the 10th century, in Malabar there were two Nazrani groups, the St. Thomas Christians and Knanaya community.