"Councils" is an NFT collection of trading cards. The cards represent real historical characters that participated in the drama surrounding the Ecumenical Councils, and in this release, specifically the Seventh Ecumenical Council.

The Project

The COUNCILS Trading Card NFT Collection was started as a student project for the Antiochian House of Studies' St. Stephen's Certificate Program.

The goal of the collection is to increase awareness of the saints, particularly those involved in the Ecumenical Councils.

We desire to foster an appreciation for iconography and hagiography that extends beyond the walls of the Church to remind the nations “that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.”

Limited Supply

First NFT Collection of its kind

Holding has its Perks

NFT holders will get a discount on subsequent releases

Sales that Give Back

A portion of the proceeds goes directly to our company mission: to help churches multiply.

NFTs

Our story

A double-eagle is displayed with a crown overhead. Below, the word COUNCILS is written.

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

Our Characters

A drawing of Germanus the first is displayed, he is holding a book and has a halo around his head.

Born in 634, Germanus I was Patriarch of Constantinople from 715 to 730. He staved off the edit of 726 ordering the destruction of all icons. Germanus wrote to Bishop Constantine of Nacoleia to and won in defense of icons. In response to his success, he was exiled for his opposition to the emperor, Leo III.

Theodora the Blessed is displayed. She is holding an icon of Christ in her hands. She has a halo around her head.

In 842, following the death of her husband, emperor Theophilos, empress Theodora affirmed the decisions of the Second Council of Nicaea. In 843, all believed, “This is the Faith of the Apostles! This is the Faith of the Fathers! This is the Faith of the Orthodox! This is the Faith that established the universe!” Ever since, the “Sunday of Orthodoxy” annually celebrates this triumph.

A drawing of Leo the third is displayed. He is drawn in a two-tone color. His robe is in red.

Leo III became emperor in 717, starting the beginning of the Northern Syrian dynasty. He desired unity in the empire, and he believed the veneration of icons were an inhibitor to that unity between Christians, Jews, and Muslims. In the early autumn of 726, his first move was to order the removal of the mosaic image of Christ above the Chalce entrance to the complex of imperial palace buildings.

This is a drawing of John of Damascus. He is drawn holding a scroll in one hand and a pen in another. His scroll is showing writings that are not yet complete.

Following the edict to destroy icons in 726, John of Damascus successfully wrote in defense of the icons. “I reverence and honor matter, and worship that which has brought about my salvation,” he continued, “Oh inhumanity of man! It is evident that I do not worship matter, for supposing the Cross, if it be made of wood, should fall to pieces, I should throw them into the fire, and the same with [icons].”

This is a drawing of Irene of Athens. She has a crown on her head and is wearing royal clothing.

Irene Sarantapechaina was empress consort of Leo IV until his death in 780. Her son, Constantine VI was ten years old when the emperor died and not old enough to rule. Her love of icons led her to gather the support of the Pope Hadrian and Patriarch Tarasius, gathering leading representatives of the whole of the Church. Virtually all of Christendom assembled at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which became later known as the Seventh Ecumenical Council, to establish a dogmatic defense for the veneration of icons.

Roadmap

Our vision is to release a Trading Card Game in physical form. Each phase in the Roadmap represents an incremental step to realize this vision. By making a Trading Card Game, we can bring the history of the Church to young people everywhere. Each purchase helps us achieve this vision.

Phase 1

Public Launch of the Councils Trading Card 'Alpha' NFT collection (May 2022).

This includes launching the website, minting the NFTs, developing the marketing plan, and growing the Discord community.

Phase 2

Grow Discord community and gather feedback, prepare more characters for the next release (Q3 2022)

Phase 3

Public Launch of the next Councils Trading Card NFT collection (Q4 2022)

Phase 4

Incorporate feedback in development of a Trading Card Game (Q1 2023)

Phase 5

Public Launch of the Councils Trading Card Game NFT collection (May 2023)

Our team

Producer of COUNCILS NFT

John Jelinek

John is a student at the Antiochian House of Studies. The Councils Trading Cards NFT collection is related to a practical theology project he's working on during the Spring '22 semester. @johnjelinek

Join Us

Join our growing community to find out more

Join our Discord

FAQ

What inspired you to make Councils?

While in school, I've learned so much about the history of the Church, much of which has been lost to antiquity. The information is available, but not usually in a digitally searchable medium. I had to do a lot of reading in school, and it was a lot of work. I wanted to make some of what I uncovered more accessible to everyone. And the benefits of the time in which we live means we can consume this
information in much more interactive ways.

Okay, but will you release physical version of trading cards?

Yes! That is the plan, and not only that, but we intend to make a trading card game out of this as well.
By incorporating gaming mechanics, we hope to introduce the drama and history of the Ecumenical
Councils to players, of all ages, in a fun and engaging way to tell stories.

How do I join the community?

You can talk to us anytime in our free Discord server. Tell us what you like, what you don't like, or hang around and be the first to know the latest developments.