September 1st marks the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year in the Orthodox Church. Today, some traditions like the Greek Orthodox, call for September 1st to be a day of special prayer for the salvation and protection of God's creation.
Without a doubt, the Orthodox Church is very concerned about the protection of all creation and the environment. This is made quite evident in the yearly cycle of services. For example, on the Feast of the Transfiguration we bless fruit, on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, we bless flowers and seeds. On the great Feast of Pentecost, we adorn the Ikons with leafy green foliage taken from the trees on the Church grounds.
The Church also has prayers for the blessing of livestock, ponds and rivers; blessings of Orchard's and vineyard's; just to name a few.
"Lord God almighty, Who made the heavens and all living things in the air and on land for the use of mankind; who ordered, through the ministers of your holy Church, that candles made from the industry of bees should be lighted during the solemn mystery in which the most sacred Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, your Son, is consumed; send your holy blessing upon these Bees and these Beehives, causing them to multiply and to produce and to be kept from harm, so that their yield of wax can be turned to your honor: For You are a merciful God, Who loves mankind, and we give glory to Thee, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen."
-Prayer for the Blessing of Bees
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