Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel has released his first public statement after being stabbed while delivering a sermon at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney.

Speaking from hospital via an audio message, the Assyrian bishop said he was doing fine and recovering quickly.

He told supporters to remain calm and refrain from acts of violence after a riot broke out following the attack.

"I need you to act Christ-like," he said.

"The Lord Jesus never taught us to fight, the Lord Jesus never taught us to retaliate, the Lord Jesus never said to us 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'.

"The Lord Jesus said never return evil with evil, but return evil with good."

The bishop urged followers to "reflect Christ" in their lives, to respect the law and adhere to directives from the police and government.

"The Lord Jesus never said go out and fight in the street, never said to retaliate, but to pray, and this is what I am asking everyone to do," he said.

In his audio message, the bishop said he forgave his attacker.

"I forgive whoever has done this act, and I say to him: you are my son, I love you, and I will always pray for you," the bishop said.

"And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well."

He said he had "nothing but love" in his heart for everybody.