Megabit 4 — March 13

A Big Meeting About Easter

Long ago, the leaders of the church gathered for a special meeting called a Council, where wise church leaders come together to settle an important question. They met in a place called Daset.

Here was the question they came to solve: When should we celebrate Easter? Easter is the most joyful feast of all, the day we remember that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive! Some people were not keeping it on the right day, and that left others confused.

Four of the most important church fathers, called archbishops because they each watch over many churches, sent letters to help. They came from four great cities: Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem. Eighteen other bishops came to the meeting too, each one a shepherd who watches over God's people.

Together they read the letters out loud and gave a clear answer for everyone to follow. They said Easter should always be kept on Sunday, the very day of the week when Jesus rose from the dead. That way, Christians everywhere could celebrate the great, happy day together at the same time.

Some people who had been confused listened and were glad to follow the new, clear rule. The leaders asked God to keep everyone safe and to guide them in the right way. It was a day of agreement and peace for the church.

This day of the feast shall be Sunday, the day of the Resurrection of our Lord.— the holy Apostles

Brave Hanulyos, Who Loved Jesus

We also remember a good man named Hanulyos (say it: ha-NOO-lee-os). He was a governor, an important leader who helped take care of a city. He lived in a city called Bergya.

Hanulyos loved our Lord Jesus Christ with his whole heart. In his time, some rulers did not want people to follow Jesus, and they tried to make everyone bow to statues called idols instead. An idol is only stone or metal made to look like a god, and it cannot see or hear or help anyone.

But Hanulyos was brave. When he was asked to stop believing, he stood up tall and spoke about God in a loud, clear voice. He told everyone how good Jesus is, and he said he would never bow down to idols, because only the one true God is worthy of our worship.

Wicked men hurt Hanulyos because he would not stop loving Jesus, and he gave his life rather than turn away from God. He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to be with God forever.

Even while it was hard, Hanulyos kept praising Jesus and thanking Him. His courage reminds us that we can be brave too, because God is always with us and holds us close.

He was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to be with God forever.