The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East (not in union with the Catholic Church), had 80 million members at its height. These church members were not all ethnically Assyrian; among them were Mongolians, Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Indians, Persians Arabs and others. Below is a small collection of Syriac-speaking churches from around the world that were established by Assyrians.
Famagusta, Cyprus. Two wealthy Assyrian brothers from Syria built the Saint George the Exiler church in the 1300s. The church now functions as the Cultural Center of the Eastern Mediterranean University. Church services occasionally occur.
Merv, Turkmenistan. An ancient church said to date back to the 9th century in an Asian country many Assyrians no longer have a connection with unfortunately.
Saint Thomas Chaldean Church, Sarcelles, France. Also belonging to the Chaldean Catholic Church, a vast majority of the members of this church have no problem calling themselves Assyrians. A large number of adherents, over 20,000, live in the area.
Mart Mariam Church, Thrissur, India. The Assyrian Church of the East in India is known as the Chaldean Syrian Church locally. They currently have about 15,000 members.
Rabban Hurmizd Monastery, Alqosh, Iraq. Carved into the mountains, the monastery was completed in 640. Originally belonging to the Church of the East, the monastery is now affiliated with the Chaldean Catholic Church.
Mor Gabriel Monastery, Tur Abdin, Turkey. Built in the late 300s this monastery, built upon on an ancient Assyrian temple, currently belongs to the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Daqin Pagoda, Xi'an, China. Considered by historians to be built in the 600s, some instead believe it originally was a Buddhist temple. A supposed drawing of prophet Jonah can be found inside.
Mongolia. Although this is not a photo of a church, this epitaph featuring Syriac writing from Mongolia demonstrates how Mongolians were in fact a part of the Church of the East. It is said that the Mongolian alphabet was influenced by the Aramaic alphabet.
Jubail Church, Saudi Arabia. This "Nestorian" church was built in the 300s. Christianity is not openly practiced in Saudi Arabia and churches cannot be built.
St. Mary's Church, Moscow, Russia. Many Assyrians that fled the Assyrian Genocide (Seyfo) of the early 20th Century found refuge in Russia. According to a 2002 Russian Census, about 14,000 Assyrians were tallied. Some estimate close to 70,000 Assyrians live in the country today.
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