[2][3][4] In the year 345 according to the Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham), Knai Thoma, a merchant, and 72 families from Edessa (or modern Urfa) immigrated to Malankara (present-day Kerala) and established a community there.
Knai Thoma and his people were welcomed by Cheraman Perumal, the Chera Emperor of Kerala, and were given permission to settle down in Kodungalloor.
(Oath of the Bent Cross)a part of the Knanaya Community joined Archdeacon Thomas.
They later accepted West Syriac liturgical traditions brought to Malankara by Mor Gregorios Abdal Jaleel of Jerusalem.
The Knanaya Syrians claim that they are Jewish migrants who believed in Syriac Orthodox Church primacy.