Monday, 8 February 2016

An Illustrious Christian Leader and Poet and the First Indian Moderator of S.I.U.C, Rt.Rev. Prof.V. Santiago, M.A.,B.D and his Family. Part A.

Introduction : Rev . Prof. V Santiago of Batlagundu,[1868-1929] was really a remarkable and colorful personality.  He was indeed a great Visionary , great Christian Leader, Poet and Musician, Professor  at American College, Madurai,   and social Thinker.  .He played a dynamic role in the formation of Church of South India  by signing the historical Tranquebar Manifesto in 1919 as the Moderator of SIUC, along with Bishop Azariah of Anglican Churches.. By his visionary efforts and actions he played a vital  and commanding role to shape the history and course of events for the cause of Christians in South India. His famous Tamil Christian lyric , Thasara Iththaraniai Anbai Isuvukkokku Sonthamakuvom,  will last till the last day of this world.

V. Santiago's Birth and Parents ; Batlagundu, the native place of Rev V. Santiagu is a beautiful little  idyllic village called Silukuvarpatti near Vathagundu, which lies on the base  plains of Kodai hills near Kodai Road .. Rev. V.Santiagu was born to his beloved parents Mr. and Mrs. Vethamuthu  at Silukuvarpatti in 1868 AD..

V. Santiago's Siblings: Mr and Mrs Vethamuthu couple was blessed with 4 smart sons and 2 beautiful daughters  and among Santiagu's brothers,  his famous brothers , Rev V. Masillamani and Rev V. Bemjamin were also great Tamil Christian poets. Rev. V. Masillamani had written some mind blowing Tamil Christian lyrics like :[1] "Thanthanai Thuthippoma  Thiruchchabaiyora,", and some of other songs.  Rev Benjamin had also written some beautiful Tamil Christian  Lyrics.

Rev V. Santiagu's  Son Rev. Deva Arul Santiagu and family : Rev. V. Santiagu's son Rev Deva Arul Santiagu also followed the religious footsteps of his father  Rev V . Santiagu and became an ordained Christian Pastor in the American Madura Mission. Rev. A Deva Arul Santiago and his lovely wife Mrs Christinal D.A. Santiago couple was blessed with four  lovely daughters and two smart sons namely :[1]Mrs. Princess Sulochana Sebastian [2 Mrs Jemima SriVasta, [3]Mrs. Elsy Edwin Enos, [4] Wing Commander Mr. Stanely Santiago ,[5] Mr Rajan Santiago. and[6]Mrs Geetha Sornabai N.A.Y.Allan. Definitely Rev V Santiagu was blessed by God, through his blessed children and grandchildren, in line with the blessings embedded in Psalm 128, Bible. Now  I would like to give a precise profile on each of Rev V, Sanntiagu's grandchildren one by one in the following paragraphs so that we can arrive at a comprehensive  and historical estimate about Rev, V Santiagu and his family.

[1]Mrs. Princess Sulochana Sebastian :  Rev V Santiagu's son Rev. Deva Arul Santiagu and his wife Christinal D.A. Santiagu couple's eldest daughter was Ms. Princess Sulochana  and she married Mr.. Sebastian of Jehovah Witness . Mrs Pricess Sulocha was a teacher and lived with her family in Madras and Mr Sebastian worked in the Postal Department .Mrs Princess Sulochana and Mr Sebastian couple was blessed with one  lovely daughter by name Ms. Kavitha and one son by name Mr Thamba.
{Part B will  follow soon with great inspiring  untold information ]

By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [ Rights reserved. This Article will be modified , enlarged, altered and corrected , if needed later].






10 comments:

  1. Impressive background of a famous family, leave it to Babu to go high and low and collect history and portray for our reading benefit and education. Thank you

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  2. I received this link from a very good family friend of ours. My name is Theodore and grandson of Rev D A Santiago and Son of D A Wilson Eddy (Rajan Santiago). My dad was working as an Assistant Engineer for the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and he died while in service in 1969.

    Proud of this article and would like to fill in... Take care and Have a safe and Blessed day.

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  3. Greetings .Thanks for your inspiring comment and words.

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  4. �� Paul Santiago - Great Grandson of Prof. Rev. V. Santiago. Son of Wing Commander Stanley Santiago.
    Thank you, Be Blessed ! ��

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    1. Greetings , you can be really proud of your blessed family and forefathers . Poet , Theologian, Teacher Rev. Santiago was really a Man of God and a remarkable visionary Christian leader. We Thank God for him .

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  5. Happy to read about my great grandfather Rev V Santiago. My grandfather was Rev Henry Martin Santiago and my father Prof I P Santiago. I'm grieved to see the church he worked so hard to unite has come to such a sorry state. Rev V Santiago, my Dad tod me retired with only an old bicycle. It is time that we as a church bring back that zeal for a united Indian church in South India.

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  6. My father, Prof Iswara Prasad Santiago was the son of Rev Henry Martin Santiago, who was the younger son of Rev V Santiago. My grandfather Rev H M Santiago built a church in Red Hills and later handed it over to the CSI. My uncle, and Dad's younger brother Dr Jonathan Santiago, who was in contact with the church pastors, made visits and regular communication with the church pastors. My mother is Prof. Christabel Santiago and we are two sisters: Mrs Ajitha Samuel and Dr Amitha Santiago. My sister is the older daughter and I'm the younger one. Each of us has a daughter. We are blessed to be the grandchildren of Rev Henry Martin Santiago and the great grand children of Rev V Santiago.

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  7. Greetings to dear Anitha Santiago, thanks for your inspiring and informative lines about your blessed family. I am happy to learn that you are a great grandchild of Rev. V. Santiago. God bless all of you.
    With love and regards. Blogger Babu Manoharan.

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  8. Greeting to dear Anitha. I shall be glad to write a Blogpost about your grandfather Rev. Henry Martin Santiago. My contact number is 9976570881. If you give a profile of your dear grandfather, I will develop it as an Article in my own way. Thanks.
    With love and regards.
    Blogger Babu Manoharan.

    ReplyDelete