Specifically, the Polyeleos consists of Psalms 134 and 135, which are solemnly chanted in a festive melody, with refrains Alleluia chanted between each verse. The refrain for Psalm 134 is "Alleluia". The refrain for Psalm 135 is "Alleluia, alleluia. For His mercy endureth forever. Alleluia." This repeated chanting of the word "mercy" is another reason for the chanting of these psalms to be called Polyeleos. In its fullest musical setting, it can last up to . Nowadays, the psalms are usually shortened to only a few select verses each, except in certain monasteries. During the chanting, Holy Doors are opened, and the clergycome out of the sanctuary to stand in front of the icon of the feast, which lies on an analogion in the center of the nave. The deaconcenses the icon of the feast being celebrated. However, if it is a Sunday service, the Holy Doors are opened, the clergy remain in the sanctuary and the priest censes the front of the Holy Table. On feast days, the Polyeleos is followed by selected verses of other psalms which are relevant to the feast. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, these verses are referred to as the eklogarion; in the Russian Orthodox usage a hymn called the megalynarion is chanted between these selected verses, while the clergy perform a full censing of the church. On Sundays, in place of the eklogarion, a hymn called the Evlogitaria is chanted in honor of the Resurrection, commemorating the journey of the Myrrhbearers on their way to the Tomb of Christ and the announcement of the Resurrection of Jesus. If a feast day with megalynarion falls on a Sunday, only the refrain of the megalynarion is chanted, once, after which the evlogitaria are chanted. On the three Sundays before the beginning of Great Lent, Psalm 136, "By the waters of Babylon", is added to the Polyeleos. This psalm recounts the sorrow of the Jews during the Babylonian captivity, and their yearning for Jerusalem; and is prescribed by the Church at this time to bring forth in the faithful sorrow over their captivity to sin and yearning for the Heavenly Jerusalem. In the Greek usage, Psalm 44 replaces Psalms 134 and 135 on feasts of the Theotokos.
Portion of the service
In a wider sense, the term Polyeleos refers to an entire section of the Matins service which falls after the readings from the psalter and before the chanting of the canon. Services below the rank of Polyeleos are missing this section entirely. The specific outline of the Polyeleos differs depending upon the day of the week:
Sundays
During certain seasons of the year, if there is no feast day of Polyeleos or higher rank occurring on a Sunday, Psalms 134 and 135 are replaced by Psalm 118.
Weekdays
Rank of feast
In the Orthodox ranking of feasts, a day of "Polyeleos" rank is a "Middle feast", ranking above a Great Doxology, and below an All-Night Vigil. In liturgical calendars it is symbolized by a Greek cross printed in red.
Chandelier
It is in the form of a very large circle with many candles on it, and is often adorned with icons of numerous saints. The polyelaios is suspended by a chain from the ceiling. During the chanting of the Polyeleos psalms, all of the candles are lit and it is pushed with a rod so that it turns back and forth during the singing to symbolize the presence of the angels which will only add to the joy of the service. This practice is still seen in the monasteries of Mount Athos and in other traditional Orthodox monasteries throughout the world.
