I'm Orthodox, a convert from academic atheism. P-dave, you are looking at Orthodoxy with protestant categories of thought.
i admit i never thought the protestants might be True; I went with the Catholics for some time, not quite happily. I wanted, as they say, Organized religion, but ended up Orthodox instead.
why? because it is True, although I don't know where to begin in explaining why I see it so. one thread- we do not hold with the so-called atonement, justification by legal fiction, or original sin. that knot of ideas repelled me, and i did not stop searching till i found a better soteriology- Christ the hero, the trampler of death, deceiver of hades, lamb slain before the foundation of the world.
do all you can to get to Lenten services- greek, oca, coptic, whatever - that's the core of the faith. Kallistos Ware is giving a retreat here! Ascencion Greek cathedral, Oakland, calif- in late February - we're attending. Our Gandalf, our Dumbledore - all the wizard we need.
i have a lot to say on this topic - today things are tumbling out...