Azariah, Vednayakam Samuel

(1874–1945)

   Missionary and Bishop.

   Azariah was born in Vellalanvillai near Madras, India. His father was a convert to Christianity from Hinduism. From an early age Azariah became involved in missions, forming the Indian Missionary Society of Tinnevelly in 1903 and the National Missionary Society in 1905. He was ordained in 1909 and in 1912 he was consecrated Missionary Bishop of Domakel. He was tireless in his efforts for Church union in India and he was Chairman of the Indian National Christian Council between 1929 and 1945 and the host of the World Missionary Conference when it was held at Madras in 1938. He is remembered as the first Indian Bishop of the Anglican Church and his influence was crucial at a time when indigenous churchmen were increasingly replacing foreign missionaries.

   J.Z. Hodge, Bishop Azariah of Domakel (1946);

   A. Mathew, Christian Missions, Education and Nationalism (1988).