St. Kuriakos Elias Chavara, Priest

Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10 February 1805 at Kainakary, Kerala in a Nasrani Christian family as the son of Iko (Kuriakose) Chavara and Mariam Thoppil. Nasranis are Saint Thomas Christians (also known as Syriac Christians) who are the ancient Christians of Kerala baptised by St. Thomas the Apostle in the first century. The name Kuriakose is derived from the Syriac Aramaic name ܩܘܪܝܩܘܣ (Quriaqos). He was baptised on 17 February 1805 at St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Chennamkary. The Chavara family has derived from the ancient Nasrani family Meenapally in Kainakary.