American rapper Rick Ross has created an international firestorm of criticism following the release of his latest video called “Santorini Greece” for the song bearing the same title.
The curse and expletive-laden song, typical of rap music, includes stunning scenery of the Greek island, as well as scenes inside the Church of St. Efstratios which local officials claim, was shot without permission.
“With sadness today we were made aware of the use of the interior of the Church of St. Efstratios in the village of Vourvoulos on the island of Thira (Santorini) as a stage for the filming of a music video. This disgraceful event happened without any knowledge and permission of the Holy Metropolis of Thira, Amorgos and Islands,” according to the official statement.
The video on YouTube has already been viewed almost 1.5 million times.
Dozens upon dozens of YouTube commentators took to the video’s page to voice their displeasure at Ross’ use of the church.
20 comments
Let’s not blame him , let’s blame the officials who allowed him to do it !
They did not allow him, churches in Santorini are open to the public. But you are correct we should not blame him, we should fault the Greeks because they should know not to expect an American rapper to understand that a church is sacred ground, he does not know any better.
You got NERVE…VLAHAMIDIS !
NO BUSINESS FOR THESE THUGS TO BE OVER THERE !! GET the F___ outta there !!
@ Frances michaels . Got to love you social justice warriors , half of you don’t even believe in God, let alone go to church, yet you start complaining and judging others. If you were to bring a camera crew and various others peoples to make a video shout of that scale anywhere , you got to have the authorization from someone , and who ever it was that got paid and authorized it should be to blame.
100% Agree with you MAX… Also who said thugs do not believe in God, I think must of them are grateful, thankful and pray everyday for what they have today since most of them are born poor. It ain’t be cauz u go to church everyday of the week that you’re a good PERSON
The rapper advertises our country at the end of the day and he is on his own in the church he hasn’t got any girls or anything in there.. stop this before noone steps foot in Greece ever again! People like him have a big influence to the public.. fair enough i get what the post is trying to say but he doesnt disrespect anything through this video.. if anything he’s showing off the beauty of Santorini through his video clip.. imagine the publicity of Greece now after so many million fans of Rick Ross watch this video! Let’s look at the current situations ( economic crisis) of Greece and be positive that someone as powerful as this singer chose Greece for his video clip! Positive vybes people.. Thank you
This rapper advertises our country? Really? Well it’s nice that you took it that way, but this is not positive advertising for Greece. Yes Greek Orthodox Christians should stand up for their faith. This is appalling!!! The church is a sacred place. Not a place to be used for entertainment. Open a book Maria, and start reading about what the Orthodox faith entails. Because video and this rapper is unacceptable!
Can you just imagine if it was a mosque? There would be worldwide repercussions along with hangings, burnings and more senseless murders.
Maria enough with the advertising and the publicity Greece gets from something like this. You do not have to be religious to be offended for what he did. Imagine him shooting this video clip in the Lincoln memorial. He would not do it because he knows better. He also knows that he is a superior kind of race, black American rapper( the same goes for the whites too), that does not have to deal with little people like the villagers of Santorini. Great advertisement indeed for an island that had to set a quota on how many cruice ships can visit a day because of too many.
A church is not a venue for that type of advertising. Then they talk about how religious freedoms will not be impacted. 🙁
I am disgusted that Maria accepts this, “”for the sake of tourism”. Greeks have been too kind, or ‘ανεκτική ‘ with these people who have NO respect for our country, our religion or sacred places. He is taking advantage of the fact that the doors to our churches are open to all for prayer. The Greek church should ask for a public apology and the government should have him fined or jailed, or both. A line must be drawn hete.
You can look at the positive side if you like. That’s what we do when we encounter a very negative occurrence; we try to make the best out of a bad thing. The main point is the Church isn’t there for people to exploit. I am not a religious person but I have total respect for all religious places I have visited. By the way, rap is one of the lowest forms of music. What would the response been had we been told a Death Metal band had managed to incorporate a video in this church? You just don’t do this stuff.
I dont think he meant to offend. He says nothing but positive things about santorini. However before he shot this video they should have went and explained some thing before he went and shot it. He doesn’t know any better someone should have educated him.
IF ANYTHING THEY SHOULD BE GRATEFULL IT WAS NOTHING DISRESPECTFUL JUST THE HOMIE SHOWCASING CULTURE AND DIVERSITY R WE THAT PENNY ANY OR IS SOMEBODY JEALOUS
How can anyone say he’s not educated about the church? He probably knows more about the church than most of you. Rick Ross is far from being a Black male whose ignorant. I totally disagree with the move but apparently money makes the corruption of integrity by those who represents the church and what it stands for with it’s faith and practices. It’s a strategic move on his end and a bad move for the head pastoral body of the church of Santorini.
Alot of theses comments are crazy! People are to sensitive theses days . Ross did no harm!!!! If u think about it. The church is where most crooks at these days anyway!lol Jus being honest.
I feel it was made with Agapi, and that’s all that ultimately matters❤️
to o’morpho video in a to o’morpho country, Santorini.
i FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE CHURCH ALLOWED TAPING IN THE FIRST PLACE……
That isn’t just a Church, it’s a Cathedral. The Cathedral has an Altar like all Church’s do and on the Altar is the Eucharist.
Orthodox Christians do not regard communion as a remembrance, but as the true body and blood of Christ.
You don’t go into a man’s house, business or Church and do whatever you want to.
But in front of the Altar and Icons of Christ and the Saints?! It would be intentional desecration!