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Does the Assyrian Church of the East (Nestorian Church) claim to be Oriental Orthodox? Does it call itself Orthodox at all? And I would like to know when it was founded and by who?

The Assyrian Church of the East is an ancient Christian body. It follows the teachings of Nestorius and is native to Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Eastern Turkey. It calls itself the Holy Apostolic Assyrian Church of the East, traces its origin back to the apostolic times and uses the Syriac language, a form of Aramaic, in its liturgy. The Assyrian Church of the East cannot claim to be an Oriental Orthodox Church since in the 5th century, it backed Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople, after his condemnation by the Council of Ephesus, and became separated from the Orthodox fold. In line with Nestorius' doctrine, the Assyrian church honors the Virgin Mary as the mother of Christ but refuses her the title "Mother of God." It rejects all but the first two ecumenical councils of the Christian church.

The head of the church is known as the patriarch of the East. Although his See is officially in Baghdad, the present patriarch, Mar Dinkha IV, resides in the United States, which has two Assyrian dioceses. World membership in the church is about 500,000.