While a monk, he was asked by sparapet Abas to assist in overthrowing the current Catholicos, George II, and was promised the Catholicosate throne in return.
Mashdotz wrote a long letter in response, rejecting the offer to rebel against the Catholicos, and chided Abas for his attempt.
Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi reports that Mashdotz refused to even maintain a diet of bread and water, only eating vegetables.
Upon the death of George II, King Smbat I and his associates elected Mashdotz the new Catholicos as they were impressed with him.
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