Oh, yeah, the EO Church is amazing. I have to say, theologically and philosophically, it is about as close to perfect as I have found in all my years of reading about different denominations. I just never had the chance to visit one, but now I will finally be close enough to one and the coof is over and I have no excuse not to go. The one in my area is pretty tiny. It's actually affiliated with a military base, but civilians can also attend. I don't believe that they are OCA. I am guessing they lean Greek Orthodox because the priest is Greek, but they don't say officially on their website that they are a Greek church.

I enjoy listening to Jonathan Pageau and Jay Dyer, although Dyer gets a bit too egotistical and snarky for me at times. They both have good and interesting EO perspectives.

The only thing I would miss in an EO church is music. I grew up Southern Baptist and played the piano in my church, so I always loved getting into hymns and hearing the organ. We also had plays and Christian musicals in my church when I was a kid, which I enjoyed. EO music seems limited to vocals and formal chanting, but it's beautiful and highly spiritual, of course.

And you're right about our personal, private relationship with Jesus. That's the most important thing. If nothing works out, I will continue trying to build relationships on Christian forums and studying in private.