Joe-
You are not the first to return to your Latin roots. I cannot condemn you for it because I know of other instances where we Orthodox have been the reason someone has left. I cannot speak for other ethnic groups but as a Russian American I can say that I have found Russians to be very negative to converts and Americans to have a great intollerance for anything ethnic. Our Priests are too zealous at times and at times prejudice colors their actions. (This I know from personal experience.) A friend of mine also returned to his Latin roots, although he could not go back to the modern church, he returned to the traditionlists. Many a people including our priest were immediately condemning. Maybe God inspired me--I don't know-- but I did remind them that it was not Orthodoxy's way to condemn -- we are not supposed to judge-- rather we are supposed to pray for them. I can say that the priest was contrite -- it helped that our deacon agreed with me -- but he did not like that I had reminded him of what he was SUPPOSED to do.
May God help you in your chosen path....I for one will always welcome you as a friend.
