Father's Day in Russia in 2025: when to celebrate and how to congratulate the most important man

Very soon, Russians will celebrate a young but important holiday — Father's Day. This date is another reason to say why you appreciate Dad and how much you love him. About the history of the holiday and what words to say to the father — in the material of Izvestia.

When is Father's Day in Russia in 2025

The celebration dedicated to the popes in our country falls annually on the third Sunday of October, so the specific date varies from year to year. In 2025, the holiday falls on October 19th.

The choice of the autumn month turned out to be no coincidence — the date is close to the Orthodox feast of the Intercession of the Virgin, symbolizing protection and guardianship. This is consistent with the father's mission as the main defender of the family.

In addition, the middle of autumn is traditionally associated with harvesting, reflecting on the achievements of the year and strengthening family ties. At this time, the busy summer season is coming to an end, and relatives can gather at the same table without haste to celebrate an important event and thank the head of the family.

The history of the holiday

The tradition of celebrating Father's Day appeared in the USA in the 20th century. In 1909, in Spokane, Washington, a local resident, Sonora Smart Dodd, attended a church sermon dedicated to Mother's Day. During the service, the woman reflected that the absence of a holiday for fathers was unfair.

Sonora's family history was tragic and inspiring at the same time. Her mother died after giving birth to her sixth child. Sonora's father William Smart, a participant in the Civil War, raised all the children alone. Inspired by her father's example, Sonora drafted an appeal detailing the role of dads in family life and sent it to the city authorities.

The Spokane municipal government has approved the initiative. Initially, the celebration was planned to be held on June 5 — that's when William Smart was born, but due to lack of time to prepare, the event was postponed. The first celebration took place on June 19, 1910, and quickly spread to neighboring towns.

In 1924, American President Calvin Coolidge publicly supported this idea. Father's Day gained the status of a national holiday in 1972 under President Richard Nixon. Then the date was officially fixed — the third Sunday in June. Over time, the holiday began to be celebrated in other countries. For some time in Russia, Father's Day was also celebrated on this date.

The path to federal recognition of the holiday in our country took almost 20 years. Cherepovets and Novosibirsk became the first regions to legislate the celebration. It was in the early noughties. In 2018, State Duma deputy Tamara Pletneva put forward a proposal to celebrate the holiday on the last Saturday of October, but the bill did not receive support.

The situation changed on October 4, 2021, when President Vladimir Putin signed a decree "On Father's Day" "in order to strengthen the institution of the family and increase the importance of fatherhood in the upbringing of children." The document decided that the holiday is celebrated on the third Sunday of October.

What words of gratitude should I say to Dad?

Father's Day is just one of many occasions to express gratitude to a dear person. Nevertheless, do not forget about the holiday and congratulations. Speak sincerely, from the bottom of your heart. Below are the words of gratitude that will help you come up with a greeting card for your dad.

Brief congratulations:

• Daddy, you are my main support and an example of true courage! Happy Father's Day!

• Thank you for every lesson of life and boundless faith in me. Happy holidays!

• You taught me to be strong, honest, and kind. Happy Father's Day, my hero!

• Dad, your love and support make me a better person every day. Congratulations!

• I am proud that you are my father. I wish you good health and happiness!

• With you, I've learned to believe in myself and not give up. Happy holidays, Daddy!

• Dad, you are my first teacher and my most reliable friend. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!

• Thank you for always being there for me, both in joy and in difficult moments. Happy holidays!

Detailed greetings:

• Dear Dad, on this special day, I want to say how much I appreciate your support and wise advice. You have always been an example of strength and kindness to me. Happy Father's Day! I wish you good health and lots of happy moments.

• Daddy, thank you for teaching me to see only the good in life and not give up. Your care and patience have made me the person I am proud of today. Happy holidays! May your days be full of joy, warmth and relaxation.

• Dad, you are the heart of our family, always ready to help and protect. Thanks to you, I've learned to believe in myself and appreciate the simple joys of life. Happy holidays! I wish you long years surrounded by love and care from all of us.

• Happy Father's Day, dear! Your wisdom and hard work inspire me to do better things every day. You have given me not only life, but also confidence in the future. May this holiday bring you well-deserved happiness and many warm words from your loved ones.

• Dad, thank you for making the world clearer and kinder around you. You know how to support when it's most important, and to rejoice sincerely like no one else. May fate give you the same answer — health, warmth and good luck.

Father's Day Cards