NICOSIA --- The Church of Finland follows with great interest developments in the Cyprus issue, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland Leo said here today. The Archbishop arrived Friday in Cyprus for a week-long official visit, at the invitation of Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II.On Saturday morning, Archbishop Leon visited the Archbishopric in Nicosia, where he received a warm welcome by the Archbishop of Cyprus, the clergy and the people of the island. In his address at the doxology which followed the formal welcoming ceremony, the primate of the Church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos II expressed his regret that Archbishop Leon could not visit the churches and the holy places in the northern part of Cyprus due to the continuing Turkish occupation.However, he expressed the hope that such visits, including one to the church of the founder of the Church of Cyprus Apostle Varnavas, in Turkish occupied Cyprus, would take place during a future visit of his Beatitude to the island.Archbishop of Cyprus thanked Archbishop Leon for accepting his invitation to visit Cyprus and expressed happiness for his presence on the island. In his address, the Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland Leo, speaking through an interpreter, stressed that Cyprus’ history is of great significance, adding that the Church of Cyprus has a long history and very deep historical roots. “With our visit, we feel that we are in the footsteps of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas in these historical places”, he said.He noted that the Church of Finland is following with great interest developments in efforts to find a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus issue, which he describing as a “heavy and difficult” issue. Later on in the day, he will say a prayer and lay wreaths at Makedonitissa Tomb where army officers and soldiers killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion are buried, and the tombs of Greek Cypriots killed during the struggle against British colonial rule from 1955 to 1959. On Sunday, a liturgy will be held in the morning at Panayia Pallouriotissis church in Nicosia, and an official luncheon will be hosted at the Archbishopric in honour of the visiting Archbishop. On the same day in the afternoon, Archbishop Leon will visit the monastery of Saint Thekla. On February 8, Archbishop Leo will be received by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias at the Presidential Palace.