The title of the icon itself (at the top) is "The New Martyrs of Russia who suffered death for Christ." Here we see representatives of all strata of the population of Holy Russia, from the humblest peasant and lowest wanderer to the Tsar and Patriarch.

In the center of the first row stand the Royal Passion-bearers. Tsar Nichols, Empress Alexandra, and Crown Prince Alexis wear ancient Russian royal garb, as heirs to the authority of the Third Rome and guards of Orthodoxy.

Grand-Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia are shown as Russian Sisters of mercy (nurses), such as they were during the first World War.

The Royal Family is surrounded by the ranks of hieromartyrs -- headed by Patriarch Tikhon, Metropolitans Vladimir of Kiev, Peter of Krutitsa (Moscow), Agathangelos of Yaroslavl and Benjamen of St.Petersburg -- and an endless choir of hierarchs, priests, monastics, and children.

In the midst of the martyrs in the background angels of God are seen, who are fulfilling the prophecy of St.Seraphim of Sarov that angels would scarcely be able to receive the souls of the multitudes killed for Christ. Other angels bring up to the throne of God a crown of thorns and a chalice of the blood of the new martyrs. At the top of the icon the Almighty Lord gives His blessing to the path of martyrdom and confession of faith, and sends down the crowns of victory, as He once sent to the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste.

A special place in the icon is given to the Most Holy Theotokos: she is shown on the icon of the Reigning Mother of God (right of the center).