Thiruvananthapuram: Devasahayam Pillai, said as a martyr by the Catholic Church for torture that he must bear after he entered Christianity in the 18th century, will be awarded Sainthood by the Vatican on May 15, 2022.
He will become an Indian first layman to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
Though the Vatican announced the decision to announce the Sainthood to Pillai back on February 21 2020, the Vatican announced the date of function only on Tuesday.
Pillai’s real name is Neelakanda Pillai born in a prosperous Nair Hindu family in Nattalam near Marthandam, previously a part of the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, on April 23, 1712.
He had entered Christianity in May17.1745.
Pillai, being an employee at King Marthanda Varma Palace, has made close contact with several Dutch officials, including De Lannoy who was arrested by Marthanda Varma living after Collachel’s historic battle.
It is believed that the relationship between Pillai with De Lannoy has pushed Pillai to embrace Christianity.
After being converted to Christianity, the King’s government has accused Pillai with betrayal and other serious violations and finally imprisoned him.
It was believed that he was shot dead on January 14, 1752, after being thrown into the hills of Aralvaimozhy in Kanyakumari District.
On December 2, 2012, in Kottar in Kanyakumari District, Pillai was officially declared blessed.
Pope Francis will connect Pillai Devasahayam who is blessed, along with four others, during the masses in the Basilica of St Peter at the Vatican on May 15.
Devasahayam is considered a translation of Lazarus crude, which means ‘people assisted by God’.