John de Brito was a 17th-century Portuguese Jesuit missionary who worked extensively in southern India. Born in Lisbon to an aristocratic family, he joined the Society of Jesus and later traveled to the Madurai mission to evangelize the Maravar country. Adopting the local name Arul Anandar, he lived as a sannyasi, following a strict vegan diet and dressing in local attire to better connect with the people. His efforts to adapt Christian teachings to local customs led to significant conversions, eventually resulting in his martyrdom in 1693.