Adoption Day in Ukraine Date in the current year: September 17, 2024

Adoption Day was established by the third President of Ukraine Viktor Yuschenko. The main focus of the holiday is to raise awareness of the social significance of the adoption in ensuring the right of every child to growing up in a family. Adoption Day also aims at promoting and developing adoption and guardianship in Ukraine. The new holiday was first announced at the All-Ukrainian Forum of Adoptive Parents that was held in Kiev on November 27, 2008.

Adoption Day was originally celebrated on September 30. Such a date was chosen because on this day the Ukrainian Orthodox Church used to honor Saint Sophia the Martyr and her three daughters Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity). There is no doubt that wisdom (sophia), faith, hope, and love are the virtues inherent to any good parent, so the choice of the date is quite symbolic. In 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine switched to the Revised Julian calendar, and Adoption Day was moved to September 17.

Adoption Day is dedicated to all the people who give their love and care to the children who have lost their families for one reason or another. Adoptive parents make an invaluable contribution to Ukrainian society, and this contribution must be recognized.