St. Vladimir was the first bishop honored as a martyr. Everywhere he served, St. Vladimir kept active developing spiritual awareness and constructing temples. In Georgia for example, he opened more than 300 parochial schools. He is remembered as a truly, "All-Russian" metropolitan.

St. Vladimir was well aware of the dangers of revolutionary propaganda. He fought it to the last breath during his service in Moscow. In Kiev, he spoke strongly against the anti-church, dissident behavior of nationalists within Ukrainian clergy. St. Vladimir was arrested while he was resting in the Pechersk Monastery in Kiev. He was brought out and shot against the wall. But as he was dying, he blessed the killers.

As there are enough scenes of executions throughout this icon, this particular frame keeps from presenting that of St. Vladmir. Instead, it only presents St. Vladimir being forced out of the monastery by soldiers, and the finding of his corpse by other monks. This scene sits practically aligned to the vertical axis of the centerpiece above it, coinciding with the image of the cross. This position emphasizes the importance and value of St. Vladimir's martyrdom. Blue, the color of his garments serve the same purpose. It is the same color used for the Savior at the center of the diesis, as well as for the Heavenly Mother, for Archangel Gabriel and St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow.