There are different views of communion among Protestants, as well as different policies regarding who may take it.

There are groups that allow only member of their congregation to partake. Then there are groups that allow other members of the same denomination or sub-denomination to partake. Others are open but urge only those people who are Christians to partake, which is what my church does. And then I think there are groups who are completely open to allowing anyone to partake.

I am happy that in my church visiting Christians of any denomination may join with the members in taking communion. I can also see why some denominations feel it is important to allow only their own members to participate.

One Catholic service I attended was at a “modern” church, with the embracing of your neighbor, the stations of the cross up on the pastel stucco walls, etc. Somehow I didn’t like it. Maybe I’m attracted to the “old school” churches with votive candles and lots of statues, etc. Even though I know all that isn’t really the important stuff. Which is funny, because in theory the modern one should have felt more welcoming!

But I can say that even in churches where it is acceptable for “outsiders” to receive communion, as in the Christian Community church services I have attended, it still never felt right for me to participate. I just thought it would be somehow hypocritical or disingenuous of me. But maybe it would have felt right to have something offered after all, as you had in the Orthodox church.