[3] Emmanuel was born as Robert Shlimon in 1970 in Habbaniya, Iraq, to a devout Assyrian-Christian family belonging to the Ancient Church of the East.

When the patriarch's deadline expired, Addai II suspended Emmanuel's priesthood in July 2014, on the grounds of disobeying canons promulgated by the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325.

His suspension was briefly withdrawn in December 2014, when Emmanuel declared his acceptance of the patriarchal decrees, but renewed when he expressed his disagreement a second time.

[5][failed verification] For a period of time, Emmanuel preached at Saint Zaia Cathedral in Middleton Grange, New South Wales.

The bishop's sermons on social media have ranged from homilies on the Holy Bible to fervent criticisms of LGBT ideals, COVID vaccinations, and U.S. President Joe Biden—expressing disapproval of Biden's support for gay rights—while simultaneously preaching a number of Christian values, like honesty, moderation and humility.

[10] The bishop is usually dressed in a dark pulpit gown, where he holds a large cross, and displays his beard under a black cowl (as per Orthodox tradition).

In one of his videos, he implored Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian to do more and aid those with financial and emotional adversity, in addition to saying, "Have we really lost the plot?

"[15][16] In addition to criticising non-Christian religions, such as Judaism and Islam, the Bishop is also known for preaching Anti-LGBT sermons and describing homosexuality as a "crime in the eyes of God".

In addition, he has supported former American President and 47th President-Elect Donald Trump, and implored him to remain faithful to Christianity and defy the influence of Freemasons.

[2] In addition, some Christians accused him of being a follower of Nestorianism,[18][19] a doctrine condemned as heresy at the Council of Ephesus, a charge that Mari Emmanuel denies.

"[33]Ten days later on 29 April 2024, in his first sermon after the attack—which marked the Eastern Orthodox Palm Sunday—the bishop stated that he lost his right eye and was wearing an eyepatch.