The 7-8th-century English monk St. Bede was referred to as being venerable soon after his death and , by tradition , is therefore often referred to as `` the Venerable Bede '' despite his also having been canonized . The 7 â `` 8th-century English monk St. Bede was referred to as being venerable soon after his death and , by tradition , is therefore often referred to as `` the Venerable Bede '' despite his also having been canonized .