Does fasting on the Day of Arafah or Ashura atone for major sins like fornication?

Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past and the coming year, whereas fasting on the Day of Ashura expiates the sins of the past year. This expiation is specific to minor sins. If there are no minor sins, it is hoped that it will alleviate major sins or raise one's status. The evidence that expiation is specific to minor sins is the hadith: "The five prayers... are expiations for what occurs between them, provided that major sins are avoided," and that major sins require repentance.