Sorry to read that as a convert you're ready to throw in the towel because the parish is not the way you want it. I'm a craddle orthodox, not in the antiochian archdiocese, my husband converted to Orthodoxy 10 years prior to meeting me. For the first time in my life (the last three years) we are builders with a few other people of a Orthodox mission station. It is hard work to build a mission, a parish, a diocese, a unified Orthodox presences in North America. Don't condemn parishioners for wanting to build a beautiful temple to worship in the correct manner. The correct manner isn't only thought, practice, but action too. Stop and think why did you convert in the first place. Orthodoxy is never easy -- whether it is in Europe, Americas, Asia, Middle East etc. Be grateful you have the sacraments every week available to you plus a spiritual father and Orthodox people to pray with. We set up and take down each time we have services. Month to month , week to week, we hope we have divine liturgy (at least twice a month) and we do typica services. Building a the church is not easy, but it is soo easy to tear it down.
