In the polemics of Orthodox theologians with Jews, Protestants and Catholics, the Septuagint often plays the role of “the banner of Orthodoxy.” However, as the article shows, the situation is much more complex: throughout the history of the Orthodox tradition, fierce polemics against the “corrupt” Hebrew or Latin Bible coexisted, for example, with the citation of Hebrew readings from the early Byzantine Fathers or the use of the Vulgate when editing the Church Slavonic Bible. Homiletical tasks played a much more important role here than textual principles themselves. A historical overview of the role played by the Septuagint in the Orthodox tradition provides the background for our examination of the place of the Septuagint in current discussions about Orthodox religious identity.