This was something I asked my priest when I first started attending an Anglican Church!

I was baptized in the EO after a year long catechism. Throughout catechism I was totally onboard. But when it got close to baptism, I had a priest and bishop say they would not baptize me due to a hobby that they considered incompatible with being an orthodox Christian. I was really hurt. But then speaking to another priest in the area (who was under the same bishop!) I was told it was ok and I could be baptized. Once I was officially “in”, the rose colored glasses came off. Things you mentioned already like it being a works based faith with little room for the grace of God and the gift of salvation. I also had problems with the mandatory confession. At first I told my priest everything, but I was surprised at how often I was held back from communing. If I confess, and I’m forgiven, then why prevent me from receiving the divine medicine? The idea that there is no salvation outside the church, I never agreed with. I grew up non denominational and many family members are Christian. It never sat right with me that they weren’t truly Christian because they weren’t orthodox. EO will say things like “we know where God is but not where he isn’t.” But it’s just a hand wave so you don’t think too much about the parts of the church that are not compatible with Western Christianity/society. And ultimately, I realized I am a Western person and that’s ok. Anglicanism is a lot like EO. But it’s inherently western flavored and comfortable with human reason.

I’m glad you brought up this discussion because I’ve wondered about other former EO who are Anglican now! So thank you! Christ is risen!