His father, Sándor Chanath, was a teacher. He pursued his theological studies in Uzhhorod, Prešov, and Budapest. On August 27, 1888, he was ordained a priest by János Pásztélyi Kovács, Bishop of Munkács. His wife, Mária Seregélly (1867–1889), and his only child had passed away. He was the first vicar of the Greek Catholics in America. He died of influenza. His obituary described him as a brilliant man. He spoke pure, eloquent Greek and was fluent in Latin, German, French, and his native Hungarian. He also acquired knowledge of English. He was the first Greek Catholic priest to die in the United States.