Hypostasis

A hypostasis, from the Greek word ὑπόστασις meaning foundation, base or that which stands behind is a personification of something. The ethymologically corresponding Latin word is substantia, i.e. substance; however especially in the context of Christian theology it is usually translated into Latin as persona, i.e. person.

The Christian view of the trinity is often described as a view of one God existing in three different hypostases. The word is used prominently in the original Greek version of the Nicene Creed in this sense.