Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel is a prominent leader of an ultra-conservative sect of the Assyrian Orthodox Church who gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic for his critical views on lockdowns and vaccines. With a significant following on YouTube and social media, Emmanuel preached fire and brimstone, drawing radical Christians with his anti-LGBTQ sermons and hardline political views. He was ordained a priest in 2009 and a Bishop in 2011, and often travelled internationally for his bible teachings.
Following the stabbing outside the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, massive crowds gathered as hundreds of police officers were deployed to the area to restore order. Rioters clashed with police, throwing objects across the intersection, leading to a tense standoff. Despite the chaos, police urged the public to stay away from the area as they worked to control the situation. The incident occurred just two days after the mass stabbings at Westfield Bondi Junction, adding to the shock felt by the community.
The Assyrian Orthodox Church believes in one eternally existing God with three distinct parts: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It was one of the earliest churches to separate from the Catholic Church, with roots tracing back to the first century. Known also as the Nestorian Church or the Syrian Church, its central worship feature is the Holy Offering or Eucharist service. The official language used in liturgies and writings is the East Syriac dialect, an adaptation of the ancient Aramaic language.
Leaders such as NSW Premier Chris Minns and Fairfield City Council deputy mayor Charbel Saliba have expressed their shock and concern over the stabbing incident. Minns urged the public to remain calm and follow authorities, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of adversity. Saliba, a close friend of Bishop Emmanuel, confirmed the bishop’s safety and commended the congregation for restraining the attacker until the police arrived. Federal MP Dai Le, representing the south-west Sydney electorate that includes the church, described Emmanuel as a wonderful leader of the Assyrian community.
The scenes outside the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley were tense, with massive crowds and hundreds of police officers attempting to restore order following the stabbing incident. Rioters clashed with police, throwing objects across the intersection, leading to a standoff. NSW Premier Chris Minns and local leaders expressed their shock and concern over the incident, urging calm and cooperation in the community. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a prominent leader of the Assyrian Orthodox Church, was unharmed in the attack, and the congregation successfully detained the perpetrator until police intervened. The Assyrian Orthodox Church, with its roots tracing back to the first century, holds unique beliefs about the nature of God and is known for its distinct liturgical practices and languages.
