Did your friend's explination "fly"?
In my city, we have a fair amount of Orthodox parishes (at least 12 - not Pittsburgh or Cleveland, to be sure) but it is certainly feasible that Orthodox faithful in this city could have "gone elsewhere".
In some places, I guess this wouldn't be the case.
No it did not. He was refused communion. The rules are confession on Saturday night or Sunday morning at the parish where you will be receiving the eucharist.
We have I think at last count 42 Orthodox parishes in the city.
The "Sunday of Orthodoxy" Vespers are always wonderful and a joy to celebrate with various choirs and a dinner afterwards with a choral concert.
