St Devasahayam Pillai (Mar Lazarus Sahada) | Feast Day January 14

Описание: St Devasahayam Pillai (Mar Lazarus Sahada) | Feast Day January 14

The Life of St. Devasahayam Pillai (1712–1752)

From Court to Conversion Born Neelakanta Pillai around 1712 in Nattalam (present-day Kanyakumari), he was raised in a high-ranking Hindu Nair family and served as an official in the royal court of King Marthanda Varma of Travancore. His life changed forever after meeting a French prisoner of war who introduced him to the Catholic faith. Moved by these teachings, he was baptized in 1745, abandoning his high social status to take the name Devasahayam (meaning "God is my help" or Lazarus).

A Voice for Equality Devasahayam’s conversion was viewed as an act of rebellion, not just against the state religion but against the rigid social order. He boldly challenged the caste system, mingling with the lower castes and preaching that all people are equal before God. This infuriated the royal authorities and the upper-caste elite.

Martyrdom and Legacy Accused of treason and false charges, he was arrested, stripped of his position, and subjected to imprisonment and torture. Despite the persecution, he refused to renounce his faith. On January 14, 1752, he was taken to the Aralvaimozhy forest and executed by firing squad.

His sacrifice left an enduring mark on Indian history. On May 15, 2022, Pope Francis canonized him, making St. Devasahayam Pillai India’s first lay Catholic saint, honored for his unshakeable faith and his fight for social justice.

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