The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, presently presided over by His Holiness Mar Awa III, is one of the oldest Christian churches. It traces its origins to the See of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, which tradition holds was founded by Saint Thomas the Apostle as well as Saint Mari and Saint Addai as asserted in the Doctrine of Addai. H.G. Mar Awa Royel oversees the Diocese of Western California of the Assyrian Church of the East.  The Diocese is comparsed of 6 parishes, one of which being Mar Yosip Khnanisho Parish, whom is served by Rev. Lawrance Namato.

Assyrians were among the first nations that accepted Christianity.  They spoke the language of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is still used to this very day in the form of modern Syriac.  The ancient language is presently used in Sunday service and Church liturgy. 

The Assyrian Church is thriving in all major cities of North America and its members are among the 300,000+ Assyrians living all over the world including Europe, Australia and parts of Asia.  Thus, the great majority of the Assyrians are to be found in the diaspora rather than in their ancestral homeland of Mesopotamia—modern-day Iraq.  Centuries of persecution and forced migration have decimated the once-numerous populace however; the Assyrian people continue to preserve their ancient history and heritage.