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• “The Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, is a historical Christian church within the Syriac tradition of Eastern Christianity. Originating among early Christian communities in Assyria (Parthian ruled Athura [or Assyria]), it was the Christian church of the Persian Sasanian Empire (224 AD to 651 AD) (although the Persians themselves were largely Zoroastrians), and quickly spread widely through Asia. Between the 9th and 14th centuries it represented the world's largest Christian church in terms of geographical extent, with dioceses stretching from the Mediterranean to China and India. Several modern churches claim continuity with the historical Church of the East, notably the Assyrian Church of the East, which remains unaffiliated with other Catholic or Orthodox Christian Churches, as well as the Chaldean Catholic Church, in communion with the Catholic Church.”