Turlock residents Mervat and Matius Shlimoun were recently able to meet one of the most famed names in Hollywood while sharing their own story of persecution and relocation to the United States, as the National Geographic Channel show “The Story of God” featured their church in its most recent episode. The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, Mar Addai Parish of Turlock was featured in the show, which follows actor Morgan Freeman in his quest around the world to uncover how religion has evolved and shaped society. In the show’s Jan. 23 episode titled “Heaven and Hell,” Freeman interviewed the Shlimouns, who escaped persecution in Iraq and Syria by fleeing to the U.S. in 2011.
Turlock church featured on National Geographic show
