Garakilsa is a village in the Alexandropol uezd of the former Iravan governorate, later in the former Duzkend (Akhuryan) district, and currently in the Shirak province. The provincial centre lies 8 km to the south of town of Gumru, at a height of 1,490 m above sea level. Another name for the village was “Kichik Garakilsa”.

Historically, the village was inhabited by Azerbaijanis. The Azerbaijanis were expelled from the village as a result of the Russo-Iranian war in 1826–1828, and in 1829–1830 Armenians were relocated from the Kars and Alashkirt provinces of Türkiye and settled in the village.

The name of the settlement was originated from the name of the black church belonging to the Kipchak Turks in that area.

The village was renamed “Azatan”. According to the law “On the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia” dated 7 November 1995, it was integrated into the administrative territory of the Shirak province.

Geographical coordinates: latitude: 40°43’ N., longitude: 43°49’ E.