The Church does not give us faith. Church gives us a religion -- a human organization built around faith. It is an exclusive club. I do not mean that in a derogatory manner.
The Church does not save us. God does.
The Church merely means a congregation of the faithful. Nothing else. When our Savior established the Church, He established it as a cornerstone around which the faithful will gather.
We are a community -- not in denomination but in Christ, not in a physical church, your locale, but universal, catholic, and in Spirit. You ask me where is my community? My community is with Christ. He is with me and I am with Him wherever I may be and all the times.
Christ does not save the Orthodox because they go to church every Sunday or because they are members of an Orthodox community. He saves Roman Catholics and Protestants and whoever He chooses for all the just and merciful reasons.
The Eucharist is not a monopoly of the Orthodox.
Why am I Orthodox? Because I believe Orthodox theology is closer to the the truth than others. I believe that not because I have "Orthodox" stamped on my forehead, but because in my limited human capacity, the Orthodox theology simply (there is your experiential faith!) "feels" orthodox. It is faith, after all!
I am Orthodox because I love Orthodox worship. To me it is like an exquisite dinner table prepared for the most important Guest, with artistry and reverence for God that comes straight from the heart and soul.
As far as not being in a position to "become Orthodox" I am glad that I am not bound and enslaved by outwardly and physical things that "prove" my Orthodoxy, but rather know inwardly the love of God.
"To me it is like an exquisite dinner table prepared for the most important Guest, with artistry and reverence for God that comes straight from the heart and soul."
Brought tears to my eyes. That's how I used to feel about the Anglican church. Exactly.
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)
It is not ours to decide who eats the Bread of Life. He offered it to all.