What is the difference between non denominational christian faith and Orthodox christian faith?

 I can only speak for myself. Maybe this is my calling.

First of all, let me give you a brief summary about my upbringing.

I was raised as an Orthodox Christian. Syro Malankara Christian or Saint Thomas Christian/Nasrani.

I wandered off from faith in my late 20s. I was an atheist. 

I am one of the early atheistic adopters. Christopher Hitchens's generation. I was an atheist before Richard Dawkins. So Dawkins convinced me of nothing. I wasn't even interested in beating up religious people. I just mind my own business. 

If someone is coming to pray in my family setting or in a relative's house, I will participate in the circus. Be intelligent and cooperate with your fellow beings to survive. I have quickly figured out that being in a constant rebellion with what you don't believe won't contribute to a sound mind. Everything is going fine. Can't complain. Humans are social animals. Try to be effective among them.

But in my early 30s I remember that I want to believe in God. I don't know why. Long story short Christ called me and I started believing in truth

When you know, you know. The Lord will call you towards him. If he doesn't do that, nothing will happen to you.

When you know, you know.

Then I got an invite from a cousin of mine who believes in a non-denominational church. Her father converted to the nondenominational church from the orthodox traditional faith. And that suits him best, and he is a solid Christian.

So I tried.  

The first thing I have noticed is there is no Qurbana. They are sharing the word of God. Everyone is on fire. There is no Eucharist. They do something similar in 2 weeks.  That is what I am told. You will meet a lot of good people, and if you want to build a solid Christian brotherhood, then you go there. If you are a Hindu, then go there. People will be super nice, and you will love it. And almost all of them are wealthy and come from many Christian denominations, including mine. But that's not my cup of tea. Because I want God alone. I am not interested in talking to people. :0

Then I went to a Catholic church (both the Catholic and Orthodox are different branches of St Thomas Christians). Orthodox Qurbana is longer. Like twice. 1 more hour ). Alone. The Eucharist was there in the middle of the altar. There was total silence. There was me and God there. While I have started praying, I have literally felt something being pulled out of my chest. It was something like tar or an impurity that was condensed in the middle of my chest. At that moment I realized there was something inside me that needed to be removed. That is what atheists don't understand. Bro, you are a good chess player when you play with a 1000 elo. But when you play against the grandmaster, you will know your place. That is what happens when you stand in front of the Lord. You will understand. It is not intellectual. It has nothing to do with your intellect.

So it is better to be Catholic or Orthodox if you are in my temper. I want solitude. I am like a monk. And plus, I like Eastern Orthodox art. I am focusing more on that in the future and doing the groundwork now.

I mean, why should I draw some celebrities or politicians? Why should I entertain other people without any meaning? What is the point of it?

But if you do a Christ painting, there is always greater meaning. Your craft may be less, but you will get that satisfaction that you are doing something meaningful. Everything that doesn't last is meaningless.

So if you are finding Christ for the first time, go to a non-denominational church first, and then after enough spiritual maturity, you will come to the traditional church. The Lord will get you there. 

I like hearing Christos Anesti, not new worship songs. That won't go along with my taste now. A younger me will appreciate it. And these days I like megaloschemos chants. That is more elevated spirutually. You will only appreciate it when you reach that spiritual maturity.

So good luck. God bless.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.  

John 17:24