Thanks. I have ordered it and look forward to reading it when it arrives.
The only orthodox church anywhere near me is a Greek Orthodox church that meets once a month in a small Uniting Church hall. It is in both Greek and English but evidently it is predominantly a Greek service. I have nothing against Greek but I am not sure whether I would fit in there or what kind of experience it would be. Bigger Orthodox churches are 2 hours' drive away, which is not feasible especially on my own with my family at home to consider- I can slip out for an hour or two, but driving two hours each way would be most of the day gone. For now I will read and study and see where God leads.
FWIW, I attend a Greek Church - and I am not Greek. However, your experience would depend on the local parish body, I suppose.
I was very warmly welcomed, folded quickly into the family, and virtually adopted. Now I am officially adopted, LOL. It has been a wonderful experience for me. And yes, much of the liturgy in our Church is in Greek, but there is a book to follow in, and quickly enough you learn what's going on. I was interested in learning Greek anyway (years of looking up the Greek when studying the Bible), and it's only been less than a year, and to be honest I have not been diligent at all in studying the language, and yet I know the basics of what is going on from picking up key words here and there. And I can sing most of the hymns in Greek just from hearing them, and know partly what they mean.
I have learned that I can't promise always a glowing, rosy picture like that, but it has been that way for me. I'd say give it a chance. It's not necessarily a huge barrier.
Though it's only once a month, if you are interested, the priest may be able to correspond with you via email or something to help you learn about Orthodoxy, if you want to. Or if not, perhaps he can put you in contact with the parish further away or another priest who can.
