Creator of heaven and earth, thou hast adorned the sky with a crown of stars and illuminated it with the sun and the moon, thou hast adorned the earth with its fruits for the service of men, thou hast willed that mankind, created by thee, should rejoice in the bright shining of the sun and moon and be nourished by the fruits of the soil; we beseech thee to send us rains in great abundance and grant to the earth rich harvests and great fertility, because of thy goodness and loving kindness. Remember those who have recourse to thee; may thy holy and only Catholic Church be honored; hear our prayers and supplications and bless the whole earth through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, through whom is given to thee the glory and the power, in the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen (Bishop Sarapion of Thmuis, AD350)
