[SeaHawkFan]

There is nothing in Christian antiquity that suggests the early Christians believed Holy Communion (the Eucharistic "body" and "blood") was merely symbolic.

That was because early Christians knew it was symbolic. It's one of those things that is so obvious, there is no need to mention it.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

"...It's one of those things that is so obvious, there is no need to mention it."

Same as the sinlessness of Mary then?