Explanation

All the sentence tells you about Bede is that he earned the epithet venerable, so something like venerated or honored would make sense in the blank. Both defamed and reviled are nearly the opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choices (A) and (F).

Neither consoled, which means gave comfort to, nor mitigated, which means made less severe, makes sense in the blank, so eliminate choices (B) and (E). Both revered and esteemed can mean honored, so choices (C) and (D) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.

Hence options C and D are best fit!