“Praise the Name of the Lord”, otherwise known as the polyeleos (from the Greek words meaning “many mercies”), is a hymn sung at one of the most majestic and festive moments in the Orthodox resurrectional and festal Matins. In its present form in comprises the first and last verses of Psalms 134 [135] and 135 [136], respectively, each followed by the refrain “Alleluia”; at other times in history the number of verses was greater. During the singing of the polyeleos the clergy in full vestments make a solemn procession to the middle of the church to stand with the people, and all the lights are lit in anticipation of the reading of the resurrectional or festal Gospel.
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