Our first teaching
The Returning Smile
Let sorrow speak before the jest begins;
Then leave one burden lighter than it came.
The Church of Iambe
Where sorrow speaks,
we answer it with mirth.
A modern sacred tradition inspired by Iambe, whose jesting returned a smile to grieving Demeter.
Our regular worship
Live Original Gatherings
We meet online for teachings newly made,
Then speak, reflect, and practice sacred mirth.
Our living literature
The Laughter Archive
A joke once shared may travel farther still;
We keep the sparks that kindle human joy.
The First Laugh
Mirth does not erase the right to grieve.
When Demeter sat silent in her grief,
Iambe offered jesting, not command.
The goddess smiled; the frozen moment moved.
From this small scene our larger calling grows.
“Mock the crown before the wound.”
— The ethical rule of Iambist satire
— The ethical rule of Iambist satire
The Five Lamps
A faith practiced in company.
Mirth
Create joy rather than merely consume it.
Hospitality
Make room for another person at the table.
Levity
Know when seriousness has become vanity.
Fellowship
Let shared joy become durable community.
Stewardship
Preserve enough that tomorrow may gather.
The Second Loaf
We feast today, and guard tomorrow's table.
The Perpetual Feast is the Church's doctrine of institutional stewardship: enjoy some, give some, preserve some, grow some.
Read the doctrineThe Iambe Library
Our doctrine is meant to be read, taught, questioned, and practiced.
The complete Canon, Year-One worship texts, Academy lessons, rites, and holy-day observances are published openly.
Enter the LibraryA living religion should leave a record of what it teaches.
Canon · Gatherings · Academy · Rites · Calendar
Canon · Gatherings · Academy · Rites · Calendar