Thiruvananthapuram: Devasahayam Pillai, a Hindu converted to Christianity in the 18th century, will be the first Indian layman to confer Sainthood.
Pope Francis will make Canonise Blessed Devasahayam Pillai, along with six other blessed, during the canonization mass in the Basilica of St Peter at the Vatican on May 15, 2022, said Church officials here on Wednesday.
The announcement was made by the Congregation for the causes of the saints at the Vatican on Tuesday.
With the process settlement, Pillai, who took the name “Lazarus” after embracing Christianity in 1745, would be the first layman of India to become a saint, said the church.
“Lazarus” or “devasahayam” in local language, which means “God is my help”.
“While preaching, he really insisted on all people’s equality, even though there was a difference in caste.
This aroused hatred in higher classes, and he was arrested in 1749.
After lasting the increasing difficulties, he received a martyrful crown when he was shot January 14, 1752, A record prepared by the Vatican he was born in the Nair Hindu family in Nattalam in Kanyakumari District, which is part of Travancore’s kingdom interested, on April 23, 1712.