Ilaijia Varani
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Ratu Ilaijia Varani was a chief of Viwa, Bau Island, Tailevu in Fiji in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Career
Varani was a friend and adjutant of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau. He converted to Christianity on Good Friday, March 21, 1845.[1] His island of Viwa became a refuge for persecuted Christians.
Varani protected early missionaries such as Reverend John Hunt and Wiliam Lyth in the early 19th century.[1] His protection has been suggested to have aided the spread of Christianity.
Memorials
One of the four houses at the Lelean Memorial School, a Methodist Church of Fiji run school at its Davuilevu compound at Nausori, Fiji, is named after Varani.
References
- ^ a b Qounadovu, Sikeli. "Chiefly island ties of Bau and Viwa". FijiTimes. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- Tippett, A.R., 1954, The Christian (Fiji 1835–1867), Auckland Institute and Museum, Auckland
- GARRETT, John, 1982, th, World Council of Churches in association with the Institute of Pacific Studies of the University of the South Pacific, Geneva/Suva.
- CABENALEVU, Peni, 1996, ‘Viwa and Ratu Varani/Ko Ratu Ravisa Varani’, in Thornley and Vulaono 1996:73–86.