Theors

First Appearance and Context

The term is used when describing the chancel of the Mynster, noting that “as theors were more apt to put it,” the space has the symmetry group of the eighth roots of unity. The narrative also recounts how, in ancient times, all the world’s theors gathered beneath the Halls of Orithena; after Orithena’s destruction the surviving theors embarked on the Peregrination, and later they retreated to the maths. Their tradition informs the Hylaean Anathem, which has been revived in a clock‑winding form performed by avout during an aut inside the Mynster.

Description and Role

“Theors” refers to the community and tradition of theoretical inquiry within the mathic world. The term connotes a way of speaking and thinking—e.g., describing a hall by its symmetry group—rather than a specific office. Historical leaders named in this tradition include Adrakhones and, later, Diax (or one of his fids). The practice of the Hylaean Anathem, associated with theors, has waxed and waned across eras, falling into disuse during upheavals and subsequently being re‑established.

Relationships and Functions

• Mathic setting: Theors are historically linked to the math communities, having “retreated to the maths” after earlier itinerant periods.
• Liturgy: Their tradition underlies the Hylaean Anathem, now realized as part of a daily clock‑winding aut conducted by avout within the Mynster.
• Counterpart traditions: In problem‑solving contexts the text contrasts theoretical approaches with those of “praxics,” indicating complementary praxes within the broader culture.

Current Status

The term remains active in contemporary usage inside the concent, invoked to frame theoretical viewpoints and to situate the revived liturgy within the living practices of the avout.