Ararat Province in the context of "Araratian Pontifical Diocese"

Kotayk (Armenian: Կոտայք, Armenian pronunciation: [kɔˈtɑjkʰ] ), is a province (marz) of Armenia. It is located at the central part of the country. Its capital is Hrazdan and the largest city is Abovyan. It is named after the Kotayk canton of the historic Ayrarat province of Ancient Armenia.

Kotayk is bordered by Lori Province from the northwest, Tavush Province from the north, Gegharkunik Province from the north, Aragatsotn Province from the southwest, and Ararat Province from the southwest and the capital Yerevan from the west. Kotayk is the only province in Armenia that has no borders with foreign countries.

Khor Virap (Armenian: Խոր Վիրապ, lit. 'deep dungeon') is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat Plain in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Artashat, Ararat Province, within the territory of ancient Artaxata. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of the Armenian Catholicos.

Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 13 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country. In the year 301, Armenia was the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. A chapel was initially built in 642 at the site of Khor Virap by Nerses III the Builder as a mark of veneration to Saint Gregory. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the larger chapel known as the "St. Astvatsatsin" (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks. Regular church services are held in this church. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Armenia.

Sharur District (Azerbaijani: Şərur rayonu) is one of the 7 districts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The district borders the districts of Kangarli, Sadarak, as well as the Vayots Dzor and Ararat provinces of Armenia and the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Its capital and largest city is Sharur. As of 2020, the district had a population of 117,600.

Sadarak District (Azerbaijani: Sədərək rayonu) is one of the 7 districts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The district borders the district of Sharur, as well as the Iğdır Province of Turkey, Ararat Province of Armenia and the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Its capital is Heydarabad and largest settlement is Sadarak. As of 2020, the district had a population of 16,100.

Sadarak is the only Azerbaijani district bordering Turkey. The Umut Bridge over the Aras, also called the "bridge of hope", links Azerbaijan with Turkey, where the Nakhchivan-Istanbul bus route passes. Sadarak District also includes the Karki exclave which has been controlled by Armenia since the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.