![A double-eagle is displayed with a crown overhead. Below, the word COUNCILS is written.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/627bd867575c9e243570b056/627d22b524a45b206ac647ea_backside%20card.png)
The project's lore is historical. In 33 AD, there were 11 apostles (down one due to despair) that carried on the work of establishing the faith delivered once for all the saints. Within the first couple decades, there was much in-fighting as the crew tried to live out the Church that was established.
The precedent of the Councils was set with the Council of Jerusalem. The battle for dogma raged on and the decisions were binding for all time everywhere. The Seven Ecumenical Councils were called by imperial emperors, held by patriarchs and popes, with the global gathering of bishops all over the earth. Through the Councils, the Church took its form, settling disputes, fighting heretics, establishing rules for living an honorable life.
The current release of COUNCILS Trading Cards focuses on the characters of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, also known as the Second Council of Nicaea. It was this Council where the battle for icons was waged. Emperor Leo III, the first ruler of the Syrian dynasty, wanted to destroy icons in order to unify Christians, Jews, and Muslims to bring unity and harmony to the empire.
Through severe oppression, especially towards the monastic communities, the emperors that followed tried to destroy all the icons. But, through the courage of two brave Empresses (Irene, and later, Theodora), the icons were restored and have been a key aesthetic of the Church, especially remembered annually during the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy