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Mahesh

17/05/22 22:07 PM IST

Devasahayam Pillai becomes 1st Indian layman to be declared saint by Pope

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  • Devasahayam Pillai, who embraced Christianity in the 18th century, was  declared a saint by Pope Francis at the Vatican, becoming the first Indian layman to be canonised.
  • With the completion of the process, Devasahayam pillai, who took the name “Lazarus” after embracing Christianity in 1745, on may 15th became first Indian layman to be declared a saint by Pope Francis during an impressive canonisation ceremony at the Vatican.
Devasahayam
  • Devasahayam was born on April 23, 1712, as Neelakanta Pillai into a Hindu Nair family, at Nattalam in Kanyakumari district, which was part of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.
  • He was an official in the court of Travancore’s Maharaja Marthanda Varma when he was instructed into the Catholic faith by a Dutch naval commander.
  • “Lazarus” or “Devasahayam” in Malayalam, translates to “God is my help”.
Source-Indian Express 

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