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What is your opinion on some of the glorifications for martyrs that, as far as I understand, have not been officially recognized by the Holy Synod? With all due respect to one specific martyr, is it OK to make a hymn and icons of him, such as the icon that was in the picture for this song?

The process of canonization is different for martyrs. The Holy Synod has recognized all our contemporary martyrs instantly. It is befitting for us to commemorate and venerate them with sweet hymnology for they were martyred on the world stage, as we all witnessed, simply for being Christian or for just attending church. Thus, they received the crowns of martyrdom worthily.

Iconography narrates a story of an angel, martyr, or saint. Sometimes the saint is depicted alone in his or her special garb, or if a group were martyred together, they are depicted amongst their fellow martyrs, for example, St. Maurice and the Theban Legion, St. Demiana and the Forty Virgins, and the Coptic Martyrs of Libya.