Example of where Fr Parr let it be known that he became Orthodox 17 years BEFORE he actually did :
Interviewer in Russia : You accepted Orthodoxy in 1970. What was the main reason for your decision?
[Fr Parr: ] "There’s no main reason, there’s only one reason—it’s a development. With Orthodoxy I found the early Apostolic Church ..."
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/68135.htm
I didn't bother to include the rest because the sentences rang false to me. A bunch of words strung together with no umph or caring from Fr Parr. He produced only stereotypical ideas. Nothing at all original.
Look, however, at this short excerpt. What does it really MEAN, 'no main reason, one reason - it's a development".
That strikes me as vague mumbo jumbo.
Many people with personality disorders which include compulsive lying resort to this technique of 'word salad' to distract the listener or reader. They speak fluff but often dispense that fluff in an authoritative tone. Thus listeners or readers who are not too discerning can be taken in, especially when familiar concepts such as 'Orthodoxy is the Apostolic Church' are tossed in here and there as an anchor for the drivel the person issues. Unless one is aware to listen for this, one's mind tends to discount or even cancel out the vacuous statements while focusing only on the recognizably correct elements. I have not read this latter idea anywhere, but I feel that is what happens to permit the leader to keep his followers in thrall.
Note how Fr Parr fails to correct the interviewer. The date given in the video for his reception into the Orthodox Church was July 20, 1987. Ahem. Probably the former Oakland resident had written the year as 1970 in his autobiography which the video points out was published without any verification of facts by a few respectable publishing houses [ in Russia only, it seems ]. Well, who would imagine someone who reached the high dignity of Archimandrite would be an inveterate liar ?
Notice, too, that Fr Parr does not say anything revelatory. Someone who had had a major conversion might have a dramatic tale or a heartfelt feeling that came over them making them choose the Orthodox Church. His reply is dry and boring. One becomes suspicious that the so-called elder was play-acting as a believer in Orthodoxy this entire time. It will be 30 years next year since his chrismation at the OCA cathedral in New York City.
People are who not personality-disordered exhibit enthusiasm, vitality and verve. He shows none that I can see in these pictures and clips. As I said earlier, neither do his eyes have the slightest expression to them. These are ALL 'red flags' to help identify which spiritual father is authentic and which clergyman is an imposter. Though these criteria can apply to anyone.
At one point in the video, I recall that Fr Parr is shown with a bizarre grimace while raising an arm in an over-theatrical manner. This awkwardness in relating to his audience can not be construed as enthusiasm. Such a goofy look, often momentary, is common with personality-disordered people. Because it's passing, the audience often blocks it out since this is not how they see the spiritual father most of the time.
I believe this crazy look on the face is the telltale sign that the person has a demon in them at that moment. The demon is showing its 'face' which is why the host person looks repellent.