Archimandrite Nicholas Hughes is a priest in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), Metropolis of Pittsburgh. He was one of the founders of Saint Theodore Monastic House in Galion, Ohio, which is outside of Columbus. He also served as the monastery’s superior for many years.

The archimandrite was also the acting dean of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio, from September, 2011, until he was arrested and charged with one count of attempted rape and one count of unlawful conduct with a minor on September 19, 2012.

Hughes was suspended by the Metropolis of Pittsburgh the following day. (See linked letters above.) On September 21, 2012, the Brotherhood of Saint Theodore Monastic House removed the priest as its Superior.

The archimandrite pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape on September 27, 2012. He was sentenced to six years in prison, with no time awarded for good behavior.

When Hughes is released from prison he will be placed on probation for five years. He will also have to register as a sex offender for life.

Additional History:

Hughes began his religious career as a Roman Catholic.

The priest attended Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Following graduation from the seminary, in 1987, Hughes went to Saint Gregory of Palamas Monastery in Hayesville, Ohio. (This monastery is now in Perrysville.)

In the early part of 1993 Hughes went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Metropolitan Maximos Aghiorgoussis. By 1993 Hughes is also listed as the Director of Saint Gregory and has begun serving at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield, Ohio.

In 1999, a new director is appointed at Saint Gregory. Hughes and another monk leave to form a new monastery, which ultimately becomes Saint Theodore Monastic House in Galion, Ohio. Hughes continues to serve at Saints Constantine and Helen.

On January 1, 2009, Hughes takes a sabbatical, going to Monastery of Saint John of San Francisco in Manton, California. This monastery belongs to the Orthodox Church in America.

On September 15, 2011, Hughes was named interim pastor of Annunciation Cathedral in Columbus. In February of 2012, the archimandrite’s tenure as interim pastor was extended, and he began staying at Annunciation full time.

Hughes is also said to have serviced other churches in Ohio as a supply priest. Included among these churches was Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Middleton, Ohio.

In 2012 the Chancellor of the GOA reported to the media that Hughes had also served in the Metropolis of Detroit.