First Indian layman to be declared saint
May 19 , 2022
1011 days
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- Deva sahayam became the first layman from India to become a saint.
- He took the name “Lazarus” after embracing Christianity in 1745.
- While preaching, he particularly insisted on the equality of all people, despite caste differences.
- This aroused the hatred of the higher classes.
- And he was arrested in 1749.
- After enduring increasing hardships, he was shot on 14 January 1752.
- Deva sahayam was recognised by Pope Francis in 2014.
- It cleared the path to his canonisation in 2022.
- Nine others, including four women, were also canonised along with Deva sahayam.
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