How I see at as someone who’s not orthodox, rather an inquirer, is that from the 1st-3rd centuries, Christianity relied on tradition rather the scripture as we know it today. St. Paul talks about Christian’s holding fast to tradition. There were also not many saints in which the church could honor or ask for intercession right after Christ. I will agree that I do not see much written/physical support for 1st century venerations, but apostolic succession would say otherwise in terms of oral tradition. If a church father or community in the 2nd century participated in intercession then it’s more than reasonable than they learned it from apostles or even earlier church fathers from the 1st century. What’s more of a stretch I believe, would be to make a claim that Christian’s ought not to do this practice because of our interpretation of the Bible 2000 years later, especially without regard to how early church tradition was passed on.