He graduated from the Hungarian Royal State Széchenyi István Gymnasium at Tisztviselőtelep ("Functionary estate", today part of Józsefváros).

During the interwar period, he taught in several secondary schools of the Benedictine Order, for instance in Győr, Esztergom, Pápa and Pannonhalma.

When the religious schools were secularized and nationalized by the Communist authorities, Legányi was interned to Szolnok in July 1950.

[2] According to his biographer and later successor Asztrik Várszegi, the 52-year-old Legányi began his work with great idealism and energy.

[3] However his personal firmness, consistency and his requirements during the negotiations with the members of the Benedictine Order and state authorities made him unpopular.

The Communist authorities aimed to isolate him and to hinder his activity by employing people outside and inside the community (Legányi's local opposition in Pannonhalma within the Benedictines).

Upon due consideration, Legányi decided to resign and retire if his leadership and personality hindered the development of the Pannonhalma Archabbey.