Crossword Genius

Greek character's mark of disgrace, with time passing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sigma

'greek character's' is the definition.
(letter from the Greek alphabet)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for sigma that I've seen before include "character in Athens" , "Letter from Athens" , "Greek letter signifying sum in maths" , "Athenian character" , "local opening in Salonika" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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