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Kosta50, everything you've said about the beauty and dignity of the Orthodox Liturgy, and the holiness of the way of life proposed by the Orthodox saints, is true. All of these are reasons why I, as a Catholic, love Orthodoxy.

However, were I in Rod's position, I don't think I'd have switched over from the Catholic to the Orthodox Church, for various reasons: (1) I think the papacy is both true, and a practical asset; (2) I couldn't go from a church that explicitly rejects divorce/remarriage and contraception, to one that doesn't; and (3) though nothing shakes my faith more than the amazing success of evil --- and Rod was exposed to toxic doses of corruption in way-high places when he was investigating the clerical exploitation of minors --- it just seems that there's noplace you can go to get away from the broken human condition.

For whatever set of intellectual and emotional reasons, Dreher couldn't pray in his parish anymore. He (and his wife) would come away troubled or angry or upset; and they didn't want to raise their kids that way.

So they found a place where they could pray.

If --- IF --- that's an accurate take on the situation, then I say to brother Rod, "Go pray with the Orthodox, and God bless you." A wise priest once said to me, "Pray as you can, not as you can't." I guess that goes for all the rest of us, too.

I'll be Catholic til the day I die; and then, relying on God's mercy, we Catholic and Orthodox will meet merrily together in heaven. And many others, too --- since God has a mighty, mighty will to save: Savior is His name.

I couldn't go from a church that explicitly rejects divorce/remarriage

This is a straw man, both the Orthodox and Catholics have the same criteria for divorce. You will note that this is something which has never been stated as in need of dialog when the ecumenical discussions take place. The Orthodox draw their criteria from Matthew 19:19. The only difference is whether one asks the bishop directly or whether there is some sort of court.

Your post is the kind I would expect from a true Catholic/Orthodox. I fully understand where you are coming from. But let me say that if they had to leave their Church, it is best that they didn't go too far, certainly not far enough to lose the life-giving mysteries of the Church.

Your concerns are for their souls, and that is the correct approach. I am sure their souls will be blessed in the Orthodox Church with the same life-giving sacraments as they would have received in the Latin Church. I don't think they left the faith; they left what they perceived as lack of it. Perhaps they should have looked more and sought refuge in some other Catholic parish. But at least they never left The Church. Thank God.