Holy Humour Sunday

Holy Humour Sunday is a tradition of the Orthodox Church. Centuries ago it was originally celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The Priest's would deliberately include amusing stories and jokes in their sermons in an attempt to make the faithful laugh. After the service, people would gather together to play practical jokes on one another and tell funny stories. The purpose was to call attention to the great joke of our faith: the empty tomb, the supreme joke God played on Satan. The essence of jokes is that they suddenly take a turn and lead us in a direction we weren't expecting. God has a way of fulfilling promises in ways that are totally unexpected, and the unexpected is at the heart of humour. 

The idea of setting aside one Sunday each year to celebrate God's gift of laughter and joy has a long and rich history in many congregations around the world. Some congregations call it Holy Hilarity Sunday, others call it God's Laughter Sunday, Bright Sunday, or Holy Fools Sunday. It is a great day to celebrate and laugh because after all, Jesus is alive…God wins…and because of that, we get love and forgiveness and grace and a place in the family!!  

We know that laughter is sometimes the best medicine and is a great anxiety buster. One 16th Century theologian wrote, “Giving thanks to God is a good and joyful task, to be done with smiles on our faces and laughter in our hearts; for it is God who created us as creatures of mirth and joy…the God who helped us overcome the gloominess in our own lives.”  Jurgen Moltmann wrote, “Bright Sunday is the laughing of the redeemed and the dancing of the liberated.”

What should I wear?

You are encouraged to wear bright fun colours - (the wilder the better) and a funny hat, hairband, or glasses! 

Join us as we laugh with God on Holy Humour Sunday.