Well I know its a simple poll but I have a dramatically long answer that I will try to condense.
PART 1
In some ways I'm a very conservative Orthodox Christian. Some would say I'd go with the old believers. I'm devoutly against he EO church going into ecumenism, which gave me a personal schism with the church (in ways) a while back after a lifetime of being a dedicated Eastern Orthodox Christian. I love the church, love the teachings, but differ on some (what I would consider) "trivial issues". Issues such as addressing a priest as "father" (please no debates here, I have other threads with that), the iconostasis screen (like old believer Orthodox), and some of the other practices that I would consider unneeded or (forgive me) edging on fanaticism such as repetitive prayer on a 100x prayer rope, or continually crossing one self, or even sometimes icon veneration seems rather pointless. As wreckless and cruel as this may seem when I bring up these issues with my Orthodox brethren, it really isn't the "meat and potatoes" of Orthodoxy anyway. The EO Eucharist, is the central focus, the prayer is stunningly and amazingly spiritual and beautiful. I love the history, the fullness and richness of the Orthodox church. I do NOT call it wrong, I just have issues with a few of the practices.
If I would go to an Eastern Orthodox church today to bring myself back into communion with Orthodoxy, I would attend the "Holy Metropolis of the Genuine Greek Orthodox Church in America. I believe that branch would fit me the best, as it works against Ecumenism and does not have questionable origins (such as the Milan synod).
However, I would want to be very sure that I would be ready. The closest of these Churches is in Oklahoma. I have met Mr. & Mrs. Gilstrap (Fr. Gilstrap) before, and they are very kind and wonderful people. They have a small church there. I refuse to bring them my state of mind (whether I am right or wrong) when they are secure in their faith.
So I am technically Orthodox by baptism, and have not broken away, just have some disagreements on "trivial" things.
PART 2
While I have been "away" from the faith I have learned some incredibly interesting things that don't disagree with Orthodoxy, though many Orthodox Christians do get bent out of shape on the mention. Well for one, I learned that God's name was spoken as "Yeshua" as he walked on this Earth. I found it amazing to learn this detail, as we basically always called him "Jesus". I learned that it was not that there is any conspiracy or error per se, but that "Jesus" came out of the Greek scriptures. (Yeshua is Aramaic the name of Christ in his native tongue). I found it completely amazing and taking the scriptures "to pray in his name" seriously. We always pray in the name of "Yeshua" in our home. We feel that the name of Yeshua, represents the entire trinity - The Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit.
I also learned many very cool and interesting facts of the traditions of the Early Christians from Messianic Jews. Very neat details I did not know before. The symbolism of the coin in the fish's mouth, or the wiping of the feet with the hair... It was amazingly powerful stuff. These messianic Jews were former Jews who converted to Christianity. They had many details of the early Jewish traditions since childhood. They could point out stuff in the New Testament and how it related to Judaism, or the symbolism of certain things in Judaism like no other people I have seen. Theologically I somewhat disagree with their worship, but in fulfilling richness of faith, understanding of traditions and symbols, and the understanding of Judaism, I have no problem conversing with messianic Jews.
Part 3
Anabaptist (should be on your list). (Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites)
They are not protestant.
They are not Catholic.
They are a group of people who wanted to root back to "Early Christian Tradition" based off the scriptures and early writings.
The Anabaptist influence has the next greatest impact on me to Orthodoxy. (Messianic Jews just have neat stuff to teach IMO)
If I had to pick from the 3 groups of Anabaptists to give examples of that have influence on me, it would be the Hutterites. They are an amazing bunch of people, and almost a shellshock to my Orthodox faith. Okay, so let me throw out some examples.
A) They worship Jesus Christ, as do the Eastern Orthodox
B) They believe in the Trinity, as do the Eastern Orthodox
C) Sunday worship as do the Eastern Orthodox
D) They practice the 7 sacraments. Chrismation, Unction, Ordination, Matrimony, Communion, Baptism, Confession
E) They claim succession (through their RC origins from the apostles), the Orthodox claim succession as well. Each has records
F) The Anabaptist women wear head coverings always, as they believe they are to pray without ceasing.
G) Ordinations are picked locally, by the "casting of lots". Similar to how an EO bishop is picked, but done locally within the church.
H) They practice foot washing.
I) They sing A Cappella like the Orthodox
J) Hutterites live as the apostles, all sharing from the same money bag in their community.
Anyway, when I saw this at first I was like....
I mean what do you say? It's like well.... You... are.... wrong... because.... "Eastern Orthodoxy doesn't represent you or your succession". That was the only argument. By scripture, early Christian writings & teachings, these folks really seem to have it together IMO. Their children (fruits) are incredibly well behaved more so than any other faiths children I've ever seen. Their divorce rate is also incredibly low (even compared with EO)...
My wife is an Anabaptist Mennonite, and dresses in modest clothing, does not plait her hair, and covers. As do my female children. They wear no jewelry or makeup (Roman women tradition that the Anabaptists preach against), wear no gold (scriptures), and yes, people often look at us funny in the store (they smile too).
So anyway, that is why my faith looks like a blender.
PART 4
I'm Eastern Orthodox
Love the family life of the Anabaptist and how they hold to scriptural traditions (perhaps stronger than *most* of the Orthodox)
And I love the teachings of Jewish traditions and insight of the Messianic Jews.
In a "PERFECT WORLD" for me (yes people I am DUCKING here and this is MY OPINION) - I just wish the Eastern Orthodox Church would get its freaking act together because its sooo close. The theology is THERE which is the most important. The depth and richness is there. The beauty is there. Real worship is there. God is there. I don't know what it is, or when it happened, but somewhere along the line some of the traditions of the Early Christians were dropped. People wear gold, short skirts (even border cleavage) to some of the churches. Many do not practice head coverings for women and clothing to not compete with each other. NOW think monastics - there ya go. They follow these things. Plain dress, modesty, non-competition from riches, gold, jewelry and riches avoided.... Why not the laymen like the Anabaptists is beyond me.
Unlike the Orthodox, the Anabaptist, where I can tell you from experience in both types of churches, the depth is not there or fulfillment is not entirely there. The richness is not there. But they totally smack the EO church in the face with family life, well behaved children, and following the "surface" areas of early Christians. They heavily emphasize to not be of this world, encourage to avoid television with its evil messages, time wasting video games (and evil), and warn heavily against evil music. The church takes this stance heavily, and watches over the flock this way. EO does too, but not to the level of the Anabaptists and it shows.
So I'd love it if a Orthodoxy would start heavily encouraging these early Christian practices of dress, non-resistance, non-competitiveness, modesty, and issue warning (yes from the bishops) of the evils of television, music, video games etc.
Right now I'm stuck in a crux of Orthodox by faith and Anabaptist by living (which impacts faith). So there ya have it!
God Bless.
Poll