I lived in the East Village of Manhattan. Its main anchor has always been the Eastern Rite churches. I am not exagerrating that every ethnic church is on every block. People must flock from New Jersey and other places to worship in their tradition. My Anglican confirmation teacher was active in the Tolstoy Foundation. I never learned much of the Anglican faith b/c he was intent on teaching us the Eastern way. Russian Orthodox belief was very popular to visit occassionally. Caravans of cars travelled to the seminaries outside of the city.
This forum lacks a consistent Eastern voice. I saw a PBS (american govt. funded) special that spoke of Acts as ending in Rome when the church went to India and other places. I hope you will stay and offer us an alternative. I attended Russian and Ukrainian churches sometimes.
The way people received communion in the Russian church was such a contrast from Western practice. The manifest joy on their faces was so different from the solemnnity of Western tradition. I was also suprised that people kibbitzed during the sermon. There was a leaflet that recorded every contribution down to $. I imagine that helps stewardship.