On justification for choosing a confirmation patron in the light of Internet discussions

Abstract

The paper explores for what religious purposes girls soon-to-be-confirmed choose a name different from their birth name, taking under consideration what they have declared personally in Internet forum discussions. It turns out that while choosing their saint patron girls are guided by two criteria basically: a saint’s life (girls get interested in her biography, admire her, perceive her life as an role model in their own lives), and a domain she provides patronage for (intercession in difficult cases, care for a specified occupation or interest).