A short film that has gone viral titled “The Greek Secret,” produced by the Washington OXI Day Foundation – named October 28, 1940, when Greece stood up to the fascist powers – suggests a single word says it all: Philotimo.
The film’s directors, John Kinhard and Mike and Andy Manatos asked prominent Greek-Americans across the country what Philotimo means to them.
Beginning with the literal translation “love of honor,” the participants also spoke of finding pleasure in sacrificing for the good of others; doing the right thing; improving themselves and their families; and seeking respect and love from others, but it is more than that.
Industrialist Dennis Mehiel said “The ancient Greeks were smart enough to find a single word that described things that are subtle, that have nuances.”
There have been 350,000 hits to date, and Andy and Mike Manatos have received calls from excited people exclaiming: “This is what it means to be Greek… I am so proud… I am going to show it to my non-Greek friends, to my kids…”

Read Andy Manatos’ article about it through this link:

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