About Knanaya

Now you must be wondering how we migrated all the way from Kottayam (Kerala) to the wealthy city of Vienna, the capitol of Austria, a Christian country!! Well, partial answer is in the question itself !!!! The ' migration, wealth and catholic'! Around the early 1970's a few knas came to Vienna for the betterment of their life seeking job and enhanced living conditions.

Christian history records that our forefathers migrated from Mesopotamia to Kerala for the evangelization under the leadership of Knayi Thommen, a well known, established businessman  !!

So we came here to seek better job, we developed our families, we live here keeping our values and traditions and inspire our children to adopt the morals and traditions while integrating with western cultures. We started settling our dwellings in this prestige and catholic-bond country and have the firm decision to stay here! Now Austria (Vienna) is the 2nd home for the parents and fatherland for our children.

The second generation of knas born in Vienna, study in Vienna and are Austrian Citizens. We adapt and accept both cultures. Senior second generation children are employed, married, multi-talented, multi-cultured and are the inspiration of the juniors. Our children mingle with European and all Indians people in all suitable platforms. We are actively engaged in religious activities in our Community as well as in Vienna parishes. When it comes to a Knanya gathering or a union of Knanya friends, then we open our hearts we feel a oneness!!! That is what we are!!

We all belongs to the Archdiocese of Kottayam, Kerala under Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry, Archbishop of Kottayam & Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Co-adjutor Bishop. In Vienna, we actively participate in the Indian Catholic Community and we are part of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy.

We have our annual Christmas and Easter gatherings to share our unity and renew our traditions. We sing our traditional songs, the children put on a show, the teens dance and sing and the jolly adults also join in to make the evening an un-forgetful evening. We always dine together on these evenings with scrumptious food and lots of wine; we make it as noble as we can!