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His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan '''Orestes (Chornock) of AgathoniketaAgathonikeia''' was the first ruling [[bishop]] of the [[American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese]]. He was instrumental in the formation of the [[diocese]] that was formed from 37 former [[Uniate]] [[parish]]es that had returned to their ancient Orthodox faith in the mid 1930s.

In the United States , Fr. Orestes was installed as [[pastor ]] of St . John the Baptist Carpatho-Russian Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1911 where he . He remained in residence there until March 1947. During his early years in Bridgeport, Fr. Orestes contended with the split loyalties that many of the Carpatho-Russian families endured as other Carpatho-Russian parishes returned to Orthodoxy as part of the Russian Orthodox mission. He and his parishioners wanted to retain their Carpatho-Russian customs. In the 1920s, Rome sent a new [[bishop]], Bishop Basil Takach, to enforce [[Latinization]] on the Greek Catholic Church in America, particularly in regard to [[celibacy|married clergy]]. Fr. Orestes was one of the Greek Catholic priests who raised their voices in protest of the unjust treatment their faith was receiving. Fr. Orestes, in addition to Frs. Stephen Varzaly, Peter Molchany, Ireney Dolhy, and John Soroka, was suspended in 1931 for actions in defending his faith.

During his early years After repeated and unsuccessful appeals to Rome by church congresses held in Bridgeport1932 and 1934 for recognition of their customs, Fr. Orestes contended with the split loyalties that many a congress of the Carpatho-Russian families endured as other Carpatho-Russian parishes returned to Orthodoxy as part of opposing the Russian Orthodox mission. He and his parishioners wanted to retain their Carpatho-Russian customs. In the 1920scelibacy rulings was held in Pittsburgh, Rome sent a new bishopPennsylvania on [[November 23]], Bishop Basil Takach, to enforce Latinization on 1937. This congress severed all relations with the Greek Roman Catholic Church in America, particularly in regard to married clergy. The congress further nominated Fr. Orestes was one as its bishop-nominee. After accepting this group of parishes under its wing, the Greek Catholic priests who raised their voices in protest [[Church of Constantinople]] accepted the unjust treatment their faith was receiving. parishes as a [[diocese]] and consecrated Fr. Orestesa bishop on [[September 18]], in addition to Frs. Stephen Varzaly, Peter Molchany, Ireney Dolhy1938, with the title of Bishop of Agathonikeia and John Soroka, was suspended in 1931 for actions in defending his faithas an [[auxiliary bishop]] to the Patriarch of Constantinople.

After repeated and unsuccessful appeals to Rome by church congresses held in 1932 and 1934 for recognition of their customsUpon his return from Constantinople, a congress Bp. Orestes was installed as the first bishop of the parishes opposing the celibacy rulings was held Carpatho-Russian Diocese at St. John's Church in PittsburghBridgeport, Pennsylvania Connecticut on [[November 2324]], 19371938 by Archbishop [[Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople|Athenagoras]]. This congress severed all relations with the Roman Catholic Church. The congress further nominated FrDuring his first year, Bp. Orestes as its bishop-nominee. After accepting this group supported the founding of parishes under its wing, the Church of Constantinople accepted Carpatho-Russian Youth organization and convened the parishes as a diocese and consecrated Fr. Orestes a bishop 's first convention on [[September 18October 6]] to [[October 8]], 1938in Johnstown, with the title of Bishop of Agathoniketa and as Pennsylvania. In 1940, Bp. Oresrtes led in forming a nominal auxiliary bishop to diocesan [[seminary]], temporarily quartered in the Patriarch parish building of ConstantinopleSt. Nicholas Church in New York, City.

Initially, his [[see ]] was in Bridgeport, Connecticut, at the site of the parish he led for so many years. In 1947, he moved the see to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where it remains today.

In 1965 he was elevation the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate honored Bp. Orestes for his service by elevating the see of Agathonikeia to Metropolitan by the Patriarch status of Constantinoplea Metropolis.

Metr. Metropolitan Orestes reposed on [[February 17]], 1977.