Skordilis was born in Crete. He became a priest on the island. Records indicate that he was associated with the Monastery of Chrysopigi in Chania. Historians have concluded that he had a personal relationship with the Monastery.

In the icon of the Panagia 'Kanala,' the Virgin Mary is depicted as the 'Vrefokratousa' (holding the Infant Christ). This is an example of post-Byzantine art and is considered a work of the famous iconographer priest Emmanuel Skordilis of Crete.