Editing Sacramental character (section)

=== Eastern Orthodoxy ===
In [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], opinion on this concept vary. 

Rodopoulos discusses the theory of what he calls the "ineradicable nature of [[priesthood]]", which is the theory that "[[ordination]] is ineradicable, and should a [[defrocked]] priest be restored, his ordination is not repeated". Rodopoulos states that "[t]he [Eastern] Orthodox Church has not declared officially on this matter. The [[Catholic Church|Church of Rome]] established this doctrine at the [[Council of Trent]] (1545&nbsp;– 1563)". Rodopoulos adds: "Only some [Eastern] Orthodox theologians, influenced by [[Catholic theology|Roman Catholic teachings]], have accepted this theory. The long-standing practice of the Church, however, as well as its teaching on [[Grace in Christianity|grace]], reject the theory of the ineradicable nature of the priesthood. Priest who are defrocked return to the ranks of the laity or monks".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rodopoulos |first=Panteleimon |url= |title=An Overview of Orthodox Canon Law |date=2010 |publisher=Orthodox Research Institute |isbn=978-1-933275-15-4 |series=Orthodox Theological Library, 3 |location=Rollinsford, N.H. |page=128 |translator-last=Lillie |translator-first=W.J. |chapter=Three: Church Organisation |oclc=174964244}}</ref>

Calivas believes that "[t]he character of ordination is indelible".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calivas |first=Alciviadis C. |date=9 March 1998 |title=The Sacramental Life of the Orthodox Church |url=https://www.goarch.org/-/the-sacramental-life-of-the-orthodox-church |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |language=en-US}}</ref> 

Scouteris considers that "no evidence concerning the indelible mark theory can be found in [[Patristic]] teaching. On the contrary, the canonical data leave no doubt that a defrocked priest or bishop, after the decision of the Church to take back his priesthood, returns to the rank of the laity. The [[anathematized]] or the defrocked are in no way considered to maintain their priesthood".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scouteris |first=Contantine |title=CHRISTIAN PRIESTHOOD AND ECCLESIAL UNITY: Some Theological and Canonical Considerations |url=http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Orthodox Research Institute}}</ref>