For the Return of a Friend From Sea — Thanksgiving

—What shall be done unto Thee, O Thou Preserver of men? We offer to Thee the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to thy name, for thy goodness towards our friend and thy servant, whom Thou hast delivered from the dangers of the pitiless deep. Thou wast with him when trouble was nigh; and at thy command were the issues from death. Others have found a watery grave, till the sea shall give up her dead; but he has returned alive and in comfort. Many are weeping over the loss of those for whom they long anxiously waited; but we have embraced the desire of our eyes; and in the multitude of thy tender mercies we pay Thee the vows of renewed intercourse.