The Second Council of Nicaea convened in the Hagia Sophia, a pivotal moment within the context of Byzantine religious discourse. This council represented a significant response to the Iconoclast Controversy, which had dominated the religious landscape of the Byzantine Empire for several decades. Opposition to the use of icons was initially embraced by certain emperors and ecclesiastical leaders, leading to periods of destruction and prohibition of religious images. However, Empress Irene, who ruled as regent, sought to overturn these policies by advocating for the restoration of icons. The council included prominent figures such as Patriarch Tarasios of Constantinople, who played a crucial role in the dialog regarding the theological implications of icon veneration. During this assembly, over 350 bishops gathered to deliberate and eventually affirm the legitimacy of icons in Christian worship. The resulting decree effectively endorsed the use of sacred images as tools for worship and instruction among the faithful, thereby marking a watershed moment for the Church. Ultimately, the council's conclusions articulated a theological framework that distinguished between proper and improper icon usage, bolstering the place of icons in both liturgical practice and personal devotion within Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The restored iconographic tradition was further integrated into the artistry and architecture of Byzantine churches, influencing Christian art for centuries to follow.