A man has been arrested after a bishop and several worshippers were attacked during a church service in Sydney, Australia.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was preaching at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday evening when a man approached the altar and appeared to stab him multiple times. A video posted online shows Bishop Mar  look up in surprise as the man suddenly launches his attack. Members of the congregation immediately rushed to the bishop’s aid as he collapsed. The incident was being broadcast live on the church’s YouTube channel which has more than 200,000 subscribers.

New South Wales Police said Bishop Mar’s injuries are not life-threatening and issued this statement: "A police operation is underway in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing.

"Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a location on Welcome Street, Wakeley following reports a number of people were stabbed.

"Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries."

Around three others are reported to have received non-life threatening injuries in the incident.

Bishop Mar, who is part of the Assyrian tradition, was ordained a priest in 2009 and then a bishop in 2011.

The attack on his church comes two days after six people were fatally stabbed in an attack at a shopping centre in Sydney.