Bishop Mari Incident

Australian bishop attacked during church service

Sydney bishop among four injured

Incident part of ongoing tensions within Assyrian community

A video circulating online appears to show Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel being attacked during a service in the Wakeley area of Sydney on Monday night.

The incident comes after six people were injured in a similar attack at a church in Punchbowl in November.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed along with several worshippers in the middle of a service at St Mary's Assyrian Orthodox Church on Monday night.

He is part of an ultraconservative sect of the Assyrian Church of the East, which has been involved in a bitter dispute with the mainstream church for years.

The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, called for calm after the alleged attack.

"I understand that this is a very difficult time for the Assyrian community," he said.

"I urge everyone to remain calm and respect the privacy of those involved."