Complex sentence: Distinguished for his piety, benevolence, ability, knowledge, and eloquence, he entered the service of the Church at an early age, was made subdeacon by Pope Sergius II (844--847), and deacon by Leo IV (847--855).
Split into simpler sentences: Distinguished for his piety, benevolence, competence, knowledge, and eloquence, he entered the service of the Church at an early age. He was made a subdeacon by Pope Sergius II (844--847) and a deacon by Leo IV (847--855).