Catholicos Zakaria Dzagetsi at the origins of the restoration of the kingdom

The uprising against the Arab Caliphate in 850-855 was successful and Armenia was able to regain its kingdom. The military and economic capabilities of the Armenian princely families of the Bagratunis, Artsrunis, Syunis and Aranshahs were comparable, therefore a force enjoying authority and legitimacy was needed to unite them. With its unified hierarchal structure, the Armenian Church was such, whose head, Catholicos Zakaria Dzagetsi, convened a council and urged unity around the Bagratuni prince Ashot. The council unanimously decided to proclaim Ashot the King of Armenia.