 During his reign Catholicos Anania I Mokats'i moved his patriarchal seat to Argina, near the city of Ani.In 961 Ani was proclaimed the capital of the kingdom, and Ashot set himself to enriching and expanding the city.Ashot constructed a wall enclosing Ani and that would later take its name after him, and sponsored the building of monasteries, hospitals, schools, and almshouses.