Who was Devasahayam Pillai? 1st Indian layman declared as Catholic saint by Pope Francis

Pope Francis on Sunday canonised Devasahayam Pillai, or `Blessed Lazarus`, who became the first layman from India to be granted sainthood.Pillai, a Hindu who converted to Christianity in the 18th century - drawing the ire of the then rulers, was canonised at 2.30 p.m. (IST) at the St Peter`s Basilica in Vatican along with nine others. A miracle attributed to him was recognised by Pope Francis in 2014 leading to his canonisation now. Church records state that Pillai was born as Neelakanda Pillai in Nattalam in the Kanniyakumari district in 1712. Kanniyakumari was then part of the Travancore kingdom and Pillai`s embracing of Christianity in 1745 made the Maharaja angry.An court official, Pillai introduced to Christianity by Dutch naval officer, Captain De Lannoy when he was in Travancore. After his conversion, he assumed the name of `Lazarus or `Devasahayam`, meaning `God is my Help`. The Travancore Maharaja was, however, furious about his conversion and shot him dead at Aralvaimozhy forest on January 14, 1752.